THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


WASHINGTON  ; 

OR, 

THE  REVOLUTION 


ETHAN  ALLEN. 


ETHAN  ALLEN  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  sixty  years  ago, 
upon  the  banks  of  Manasquan  River,  a  beautiful  stream, 
which,  taking  its  rise  near  the  battle  grounds  of  Mon- 
mouth,  flows  through  the  county  of  that  name  and  enters  the 
ocean  just  south  of  Long  Branch.  Capt.  Samuel  Fleming 
Allen,  his  father,  was  in  active  service  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
his  grandfather,  Capt.  Sam.  Allen,  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution 
was  a  minute-man  guarding  the  Jersey  shore.  Though  the  latter 
was  but  a  mere  youth  in  1776,  his  daring  spirit  and  command- 
ing influence  led  him  into  deeds  of  heroism,  no  less  dashing  than 
those  recorded  of  his  relative,  Col.  Ethan  Allen,  of  Vermont 
fame.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  lived  upon  his  father's  farm 
until  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  since  that  time  New  York  city 
has  been  his  home.  He  graduated  at  Brown's  University  in 
1860,  and  was  selected  as  the  orator  of  his  class.  Leaving  col- 
lege one  year  before  graduation,  he  studied  law  in  this  city.  In 
1861  he  was  made  Deputy  United  States  District  Attorney  for 
the  District  of  New  York,  under  Mr.  Lincoln's  administration, 
and  resigning  this  place  in  1869,  he  has  since  held  no  official 
position.  From  1869  to  1885  he  was  actively  engaged  in  his 
profession,  and  with  marked  success.  Mr.  Allen  has  taken 
great  interest  in  political  affairs,  but  generally  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  the  highest  probity  in  official  conduct.  From  boy- 
hood he  has  been  ever  deeply  imbued  with  a  sense  of  gratitude 
for  those  who  suffered  so  greatly  a  century  ago,  that  this  na- 
tion, and  ultimately  the  world,  might  enjoy  political  emancipa- 
tion from  monarchy.  He  is  the  uncompromising  foe  to  any  one, 
no  matter  how  high  his  station,  who  by  his  official  turpitude 
checks  the  political  influence  of  our  revolutionary  sires,  which 
should  be  ever  progressive.  Mr.  Allen  has  had  ambition  for 
political  preferment,  not  from  motives  of  personal  gain,  but 
from  the  loftier  desire  and  pardonable  pride  of  being  a  part  of 
the  grandest  system  of  government  the  planet  has  ever  known. 
He  has  never  been  successful,  because  he  has  not  the  nature 
requisite  to  win  in  party  warfare — that  is,  the  capacity  to  turn, 
and  fawn,  and  promise  and  betray.  In  sorrow  that  a  people 
of  such  great  heritage  can  fall  so  low,  at  times,  in  official 
corruption — the  gravest  danger  of  a  republic — he  has  written 
the  "  Drama  of  the  Revolution,"  that  the  story  concisely  told 
may  be  known  to  all,  and  thus  stimulate  an  ever-living  pur- 
pose to  guard  the  legacy  of  our  ancestors,  by  the  maintenance 
of  honesty  in  government. 


TO  THE   SONS  AND   DAUGHTERS   OF   REVOLUTIONARY   SIRES, 

AND   TO   THE   FRIENDS   OF 
HUMAN   LIBERTY  THE  WORLD   OVER, 

WHO   SUSTAIN  THE 
DECLARATION  OF  AMERICAN   INDEPENDENCE, 

SUCCESSFULLY  DEFENDED   BY 
WASHINGTON  AND   HIS  COMPEERS, 

THIS   WORK   IS 
RESPECTFULLY   DEDICATED  BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


OR, 

THE  REVOLUTION 

A  DRAMA 

upon  tbe  f>tetoric  Events  of  tbe 
Mar  for  Bmerican  IfnDepenoence 

BY 

ETHAN  ALLEN 

ILLUSTRATED    BY 

ROBERT  W.    CHAMBERS 
IN  Two  PARTS.    EACH  PART,  FIVE  ACTS 


PART  FIRST:   Fron^.  the  Boston  Massacre  to  the  Surrender  of 
Burgoyne 

PART  SECOND :   From  Valley  Forge  to  Washington's  Inaugura- 
tion as  President  of  the  United  States 


PART    FIRST 


Fc  TENNYSON  NEELY 

PUBLISHER 

CHICAGO  NEW  YORK 

1895 


COPYRIGHTED  BY 

ETHAN  ALLEN, 

1894. 


All  Rights  Reserved. 


INTRODUCTION. 


IT  was  no  part  of  the  author's  intention  to  prepare  this 
drama  for  actual  presentation  upon  the  stage,  although 
such  a  drama  may  be  evolved  from  it.  This  drama,  as 
here  presented,  is  much  too  long,  and  in  some  parts  too 
prolix  and  slow  of  action,  for  a  place  in  the  theater. 
This  is  because  accuracy  demanded  the  recital  of  many 
details  necessary  to  a  pretended  full  record  of  events 
within  the  time  covered,  and  yet  unnecessary  for  presen- 
tation behind  the  footlights.  Therefore,  the  "  acting 
play  "  was  unavoidably  sacrificed  to  the  "  historic  drama," 
truthfully  told.  The  chief  aim  of  the  author  has  been  to 
secure  to  the  reader  a  personal  intimacy  with  the  actors 
in  the  great  struggle  which  made  the  United  States  of 
America,  by  having  them  live  again  in  his  presence. 
Every  character  has  been  drawn  as  closely  as  possible 
to  that  which  he  filled  in  life.  History  is  descriptive, 
and  hence  cannot  present  a  personality  as  vividly  as  the 
drama,  which  enables  the  dead  to  speak  and  walk  as  if 
within  the  hearing  and  the  sight  of  the  living.  We  plod 
through  many  volumes  of  historical  narration  and  leave 
off  with  a  knowledge  of  events,  and  of  the  actors  in 
them,  insignificant  with  that  we  gain  from  personal 
contact  with  the  drama.  The  memory  of  those  heroes 
who  gave  free  government  to  the  earth  in  the  trials  of 
the  American  Revolution  is  becoming  weaker  with 
advancing  years  ;  and  if  it  can  be  reawakened  by  a 
closer  relationship  with  them  through  the  drama,  and 
thus  be  re-enkindled  a  greater  appreciation  of  what  they 
suffered  one  hundred  years  ago  in  the  cause  of  liberty, 
much  will  be  accomplished.  And  if,  in  addition  to 
this,  a  firmer  resolve  is  made  by  those  who  read  this 

vii 


vni  INTRODUCTION. 

story  to  secure  themselves  against  threatening  dangers 
and  to  extend  over  the  world  the  blessings  our  fathers 
gave  by  a  devoted  allegiance  to  law  and  order,  as 
honestly  expressed  in  the  will  of  the  majority,  the  only 
sovereign  of  an  intelligent  and  a  free  people,  then  this 
has  not  been  written  in  vain. 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS  OF  PART  FIRST, 


SCENE  i. 

"  2. 

"  3- 

"  4- 

"  5- 

"  6. 

"  7- 


ACT  I. 

Gen.  Gage  and  the  Boston  Massacre, 

Boston  Harbor  and  the  Destruction  of  the  Tea, 


George 


Lib- 


Buckingham   Palace  :    Interview   between 
III.,  Lord  North,  Franklin,  and  Others, 

Richmond,  Va. :    Patrick   Henry's   Oration, 
erty  or  Death."     The  Two  Aged  Citizens, 

Suburbs   of  Boston :     Watching   for  the    Signal. 
Ride  of  Paul  Revere,  ..... 

Battle  of  Lexington.     The  Rout  and  Pursuit, 

Battle  of  Bunker  Hill.     Death  of  Warren,      . 


PAGE 

I 
6 

II 

19 

23 
26 

32 


ACT  II. 

SCENE  i.  Washington  in  Camp  at  Cambridge.  Condition  of 

the  Army,  .......  38 

"  2.  Cassel :  The  Landgrave  and  England's  Embassa- 

dor  Negotiate  for  Hessian  Troops,  ...  45 

"  3.  Buckingham  Palace  :  King  George  and  his  Minis- 
ters. The  King  Enraged  at  Catherine  of  Russia,  51 

"  4.  Independence  Hall,  Philadelphia  :  The  Declara- 
tion Proclaimed.  "  Yankee  Doodle,"  .  .  58 


ACT  III. 

SCENE  i.  Battle  of  Long  Island.  Howe  and  his  Generals,  69 
"  2.  Harlem  Heights  :  Washington  and  his  Generals. 

The  Attempt  to  Poison  Washington,  .  .  72 
"  3.  Military  Prison  in  New  York  City  :  Cunningham, 

British  Provost-Marshal,  and  his  Victims.     The 

Execution  of  Nathan  Hale,  ....  79 
"  4.  Baskingridge,  N.  J.:  Capture  of  Gen.  Charles  Lee 

by  the  British.  Lee's  Disloyalty  to  Washington,  88 
"  5.  Washington's  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  before 

the  Assault  on  Trenton.     Washington's  Resolve,       99 

ix 


X  CONTENTS  OF  PART  FIRST. 

SCENE  6.  Trenton,  Christmas  Day  :  Col.  Rail,  in  Revelry, 

Disregards  Warning  of  Washington's  Approach,  112 

"  7.  Trenton :  The  Snowstorm.  The  Battle.  Wash- 
ington at  the  Head  of  his  Column.  Rail  Mor- 
tally Wounded, 105 

"  8.  Trenton  Again  :  The  Night  Before  the  Battle  of 

Princeton,  .  107 

"      9.     Battle  of  Princeton.     Death  of  Gen.  Mercer,         .     109 


ACT  IV. 

SCENE  i.    Versailles,     France:     Louis     XVI.,    Vergennes, 

Franklin,  and  Lafayette,  .         .         .          .112 

"  2.  Buckingham  Palace:  King  George  III.,  North, 
Germain,  and  Burgoyne.  Burgoyne  made  the 
American  Commander, 121 

"  3.  Washington  at  Middlebrook.  Arnold  in  Consul- 
tation,   126 

"  4.  Gen.  Howe  in  New  York.  Refuses  to  Help  Bur- 
goyne and  Prepares  to  Assail  Philadelphia,  .  133 

"  5.  Gen.  Carleton  in  Canada.  Refuses  to  Help  Bur- 
goyne. The  Quarrel.  Riedesel  and  Burgoyne,  136 

"  6.  Fort  Stanwix  :  The  Battle,  and  Death  of  Herkimer. 
Arnold  Marches  to  its  Relief.  The  Flight  of 
St.  Leger, 140 

"      7.     Burgoyne  at  Fort  Edward.     Sends  Baum  to  Ben- 

nington, .     143 

8.     Battle  of  Bennington.     Gen.  Stark,        .         .         .145 

"      9.     Gen   Schuyler   at   Albany.     Yields    Command   to 

Gates, 147 

"      10.  Battle  of  Brandywine.     Washington,  Sullivan,  and 

Greene,  etc., 148 

"      II.  Philadelphia:   Victorious  Entry  of  Corn wallis,        .     154 


ACT  V. 

SCENE  i.     Gen.  Arnold  on  Bemis  Heights.     Mother  Yost  and 

Interview, 156 

"  2.  The  Taylor  House  on  the  Hudson.  Inside  the 
British  Lines.  Madam  Riedesel,  Lady  Ackland, 
Burgoyne,  etc., 160 

3.  Gen.  Arnold  and  Mother  Yost  :    Interview  at  the 

Devil's  Glen  on  the  Hudson,       ....     165 

4.  Camp  of   Gates.     First  Day's   Battle  of   Saratoga. 

Arnold,  etc 169 

5.  The  Battle  on.    Burgoyne,  Fraser,  etc.,  on  the  Field,     172 

6.  Again  the  Camp  of  Gates.     The  Day  after  First 

Battle.     Quarrel  between  Gates  and  Arnold,      .     175 


CONTENTS  OF  PART  FIRST.  XI 

SCENE  7.  The  Battlefield  between  the  Armies  :  Gen.  Lin- 
coln, Arnold,  etc.,  .  .  .  .  .  .176 

"  8.  Again  the  Camp  of  Gates.  The  Second  Battle 

Begins 180 

"  q.  The  Battlefield  :  Gen.  Lincoln  and  Others.  After 
they  Retire,  Gen.  Burgoyne,  Breyman,  Riedesel, 
etc.  These  Retire,  Followed  by  Arnold,  who 
Plunges  into  the  Fight  and  Wins  the  Day,  .  183 

"  IO.  Camp  of  Gates  upon  Saratoga  Heights.  The  Sur- 
render of  Burgoyne.  Gates,  Schuyler,  etc.  Bur- 
goyne and  his  Generals.  The  Toast  of  Burgoyne, 
"  I  Drink  to  Washington,"  .  191 


PERSONS  REPRESENTED. 


AMERICANS  : 

GEO.  WASHINGTON. 

GEN.  PUTNAM. 

GEN.  ARNOLD. 

GEN.  GATES. 

GEN.  KNOX,  at  first  Captain. 

GEN.  GREEN,  at  first  Colonel. 

GEN.  SCHUVLER. 

GEN.  SULLIVAN. 

GEN.  MERCER. 

GEN.  STARK. 

GEN.  LINCOLN. 

GEN.  LEE. 

FARMER  DICK,  afterward  Col. 

-    STANDISH. 

FARMER  GEORGE,  afterward  Col. 

ALDEN. 

NATHAN  HALE. 
BENJ.  FRANKLIN. 
SAM.  ADAMS. 
JOHN  ADAMS. 
EDWARD  RUTLEDGE. 
JOHN  DICKINSON. 
JOHN  WITHERSPOON. 

FRENCHMEN  : 

Louis  XVI.,  King  of  France. 
VKRGENNES,  his  Minister. 
LAFAYETTE,  General  in  Ameri- 
can Army. 


ENGLISH  : 

GEORGE  III.,  King  of  England. 
LORD  NORTH,  his  Prime  Minister. 
HILLSBOROUGH,    ex-Secretary    of 

State. 

HARRINGTON,  Secretary  of  War. 
GERMAIN,  Secretary  of  State. 
GEN.  GAGE. 
GEN.  HOWE. 
ADMIRAL  HOWE. 
GEN.  CORNWALLIS. 
GEN.  CARLETON. 
GEN.  BURGOYNE. 
GEN.  CLINTON. 
GEN.  FRASER. 
COL.  FAUCITT,  English  Embassa- 

dor. 
CAPT.      CUNNINGHAM,      English 

Provost  Marshal. 

GERMANS : 

FREDERICK    II.,    Landgrave    pf 

Hesse  Cassel. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN,  his  Minister. 
COL.  RALL. 
GEN.  RIEDESEL. 
COL.  BAUM. 
COL.  BREYMANN. 


Females :  Madam  Riedesel,  Lady  Ackland,  Mother  Yost,  a 
witch. 

Unnamed  Persons  :     Speakers,  Aids.  Orderlies,  etc.,  etc. 

First,  Second,  and  Third  Aid  to  Gen.  Gage.  First,  Second, 
Third,  and  Fourth  Speaker  at  the  tea  ships.  First  and  Second  Citi- 
zen at  Richmond.  American  Captain,  Militiaman,  English  Captain, 

xii 


PERSONS  REPRESENTED.  Xiii 

Lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  at  Lexington.  First,  Second,  and  Third 
Aid,  Orderly,  Soldier,  and  Prisoner  at  Bunker  Hill.  First  and 
Second  Keeper  ;  First,  Second,  and  Third  Soldier  or  Guard  ;  First, 
Second,  Third,  and  Fourth  Prisoner  to  Provost  Marshal  Cunning- 
ham, and  Corporal  to  Cunningham  with  Nathan  Hale.  British  Cap- 
tain who  captured  Gen.  Lee.  First  and  Second  Countryman  to  Col. 
Rail.  Hessian  officer  on  Long  Island  and  at  Trenton.  First 
and  Second  Aid  to  Cornwallis  at  Trenton.  Aid  to  Washington  at 
Princeton.  Messenger  to  Arnold  near  Fort  Stanwix.  Aid  to  Stark 
at  Bennington.  Aids  to  Washington  at  Brandywine.  Soldier  on 
Bemis  Heights.  First  Aid  to  Gates  at  Saratoga.  Aid  to  Burgoyne 
at  Saratoga.  Aid  reporting  to  Lincoln  at  Saratoga.  "A  Voice," 
Servant,  Singers,  Soldiers,  and  Citizens. 


WASHINGTON; 

OR, 

THE  REVOLUTION 


ACT  I.  . 

SCENE  I.  Boston.  Headquarters  of  the  British  Military 
Commander  in  America.  Time:  evening,  ^th  of 
March,  1770.' 

Enter  GEN.  GAGE  and  three  AIDS. 

GEN.  GAGE  \Musing\ — Who  was  that  audacious 
minion  of  the  South,  who  gave  the  head  to  this  great 
disorder,  with  his  pernicious  resolutions  of  resistance  to 
England's  law?2  As  memory  now  recalls,  he  offered 
and  passed  them,  too,  in  Virginia's  House  of  Burgesses — 

let  me  see Yes,  it  is  now  five  years  ago.     Time 

beats  a  more  rapid  wing  when  affairs  are  so  exacting. 
And    in   support  thereof,  with    unblushing    impudence, 

1  On  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  March  a  collision  took  place  [Boston] 
between  ihe  military  and  the  people. — Frost. 

3  In  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses,  at  Williamsburgh,  the  Stamp 
Act  being  received  in  May,  1765,  Patrick  Henry,  in  a  series  of  reso- 
lutions offered  by  him,  included  these  :  "  Sixih.  The  inhabitants 
of  these  Colonies  are  not  bound  to  yield  obedience  to  any  law  to 
impose  any  taxation  upon  them  other  than  the  laws  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  this  Colony.  Seventh.  That  any  person  who  shall,  by 
speaking  or  writing,  maintain  otherwise,  shall  be  deemed  an  enemy, 
etc." — Morse's  Patrick  Henry. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


said  :   "  Caesar  had  his  Brutus,  Charles  I.  his  Cromwell, 
and  George  III.  may  profit  by  their  example.8 
FIRST  AID — General,  that  was  Patrick  Henry. 
GAGE — An   arrant   knave,  whatever   his    name   may 
be,   thus  to  stun  the  ears  of 
men    with    the    name    of    his 
Gracious     Majesty,     in     such 
suggestion.     Has  he    hanged  ? 

FIRST  AID — Not  that  I  have 
heard. 

GAGE — Why  not  ?  Does 
treason  to  our  King  go  un- 
punished ? 

FIRST  AID — I  cannot  answer. 
This  man  is  under  the  shield 
of  the  civil  law  ;  and  has  never 
been  within  your  authority. 

GAGE — And  lucky  for  him 
he  has  not.  His  resolves,  charged  with  highest  treason, 
and  his  supporting  phrase  linked  therewith,  have 
gathered  force  year  by  year,  seducing  loyalty  from 
contented  hearts  ;  and  now  upon  the  sky  political, 
they  are  as  a  sign  in  the  heavens  when  angry  Mars 

1  Patrick  Henry,  on  May  30,  1765,  in  support  of  his  resolutions 
[thereafter  adopted],  reaching  a  cTimax,  said:  "Caesar  had  his 
Brutus;  Charles  I.  had  his  Cromwell,  and  George  III.  (cries  of 
'  Treason,  Treason  ')  may  profit  by  their  example.  If  this  be  treason, 
make  the  most  of  it." — Morse's  Patrick  Henry. 

Meantime,  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  were  borne,  north  and  south, 
the  fiery  words  of  entire  series  [resolutions],  to  kindle  a  great  flame 
of  dauntless  purpose,  while  Patrick  himself  was  only  half  conscious 
of  his  fatal  work. — Morse's  Patrick  Henry. 

They  were  a  virtual  declaration  of  resistance  to  the  Stamp  Act  by 
the  Legislature  of  a  great  Colony.  And,  moreover,  tliey  were  the 
very  first  declaration  of  resistance  which  was  so  made. — Morse's 
Patrick  Henry, 

They  [the  resolutions]  proved  eventually  the  occasion  of  those 
great  disorders  which  afterward  broke  out  in  the  Colonies. — Morse's 
Patrick  Henry. 

Gen.  Gage  wrote  to  Secretary  Conway,  that  the  "Virginia 
resolves  "  had  given  the  signal  for  a  general  outcry  over  the  conti- 
nent.— Morse's  Patrick  Henry. 


WASHINGTON,  CR    THE  REVOLUTION.  3 

flames  on  the  front  of  war.4  Here  in  Boston,  around 
and  near  us,  are  those  who  look  with  his  eyes,  glancing 
defiance  in  the  face  of  royalty.  British  lead  must  cure 
these  ills  of  state. 

FIRST  AID — The  prescription,  then,  can  come  none 
too  soon. 

GAGE — Ah  !     Do  you  instruct  your  general  ? 

FIRST  AID— Pardon  me  :  but  the  unruly  crowd  grow 


daily  more  so.  I  have  seen  our  officers  drink  deep  of 
humiliation,  and  yet,  as  soldiers,  no  offense  resenting.  It 
is  hard  to  bear  taunts  and  stones  and  know  that  your 
musket's  loaded.* 

4  In  the  autumn  of  1774,  an  able  writer,  looking  back  over  the 
political  history  of  the  Colonies  from  the  year  of  the  Stamp  Act, 
singled  out  the  "Virginia  resolves  "as  the  baneful  cause  of  all  the 
troubles  that  had  come  upon  the  land. — Morse's  Patrick  Henry. 

6  The  men  of  Boston  applauded  the  spirit  of  the  "  Yankees."  [The 
people  of  New  York  expressed  open  abhorrence  of  the  soldiers,  etc.] 
And  the  more  they  [the  soldiers]  paraded  with  their  muskets,  the 


WASHINGTON.  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


GAGE — I  have  issued  the  proper  orders.  The  hinds 
shall  feel  the  rod  of  correction.  For  seven  years  I  have 
commanded  the  King's  forces  in  America  ;  and  since 
October,  '68, — now  it  is  March  and  '70, — have  had  head- 
quarters here.  In  all  that  time  I  have  borne  my  share 
of  studied  disrespect.  Are  not  these  people  bone  of  our 
bone  ?  If  so,  why  not,  then,  amenable  to  law  as  were 
their  fathers  ? 

SECOND  AID — They  contend  that  the  law,  no  voice  of 
theirs  approving,  is  oppressive  ;  and  hence  to  be  rejected 
as  a  weight  laid  on  by  foreign  hands.  The  Stamp  Act 
fires  them  to  these  deeds  of  violence. 

GAGE — There  it  is  again  !  Why,  man,  you  talk  the 
jargon  of  the  mob,  and  should  be  feed  their  orator.  The 

Stamp  Act !  the 
Stamp  Act !  on 
right  and  left — 
no  other  cry. 
Well,  at  this  tar- 
get, then !  This 
law  was  made  by 
King  and  Parlia- 
ment —  a  self- 
sufficient  reason 
for  obedience. 
The  record  is 
evidence  of  su- 
preme forbear- 
ance. In  '65  was  this  Act  proclaimed,  and  in  '66 
repealed — do  you  mark  that  word  ?  repealed— by  King 
and  Parliament,  in  deference  to  the  minions  who  flout  us 
here  to-day.  In  '67 — since  balked  authority  will  reassert 
itself,  pride  and  duty  stimulating — another  Act,  retaining 
the  principle  of  the  first,  but  with  scope  enlarged  to 
cover  taxation  as  port  duties,  was  again  proclaimed. 
This  the  law  till  now  ;  and  the  report  is  just  at  hand 
that,  under  the  wise  direction  of  Lord  North — long  may 
he  live  Prime  Minister  of  England  ! — this  last  statute  is 


more  they  were  despised  as  men  who  desired  to  terrify  and  had  no 
power  to  harm. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  5 

modified,  or  soon  will  be,  and  the  duties  of  '67  therefrom 
erased,  excepting  that  on  tea.  This  is  retained  as  ex- 
pressive of  the  right  to  tax  these  Colonies.8  Can  gener- 
osity further  go  ?  For  five  years  a  rebellious  people 
have  thus  swayed  back  and  forth  the  supreme  powers  of 
the  realm.  The  law  is  now  fixed,  and  we  are  here  as  the 
King's  right  arm  to  enforce  submission.  [A  great  up- 
roar is  heard  from  the  street.]  What  means  this  com- 
motion ?  [THIRD  AID  rushes  to  the  window  and  looks 
down  into  the  street.  GAGE  agitated.]  What  is  it  ? 
Speak  ! 

THIRD  AID — The  mob  sullenly  retreat  before  the 
military.  The  falling  flakes  obscure  much,  but  as  I  see, 
the  people  pelt  the  soldiers  with  showers  of  snow-balls 
as  they  advance.7 

GAGE — Who  commands  the  soldiers  ? 

THIRD  AID — Captain  Preston  leads  and  gives  the 
orders. 

GAGE — A  valiant  officer  !  Less  than  two  months  ago 
our  comrades  drew  blood  on  Golden  Hill,  in  New 
York  City,  from  these  self-styled  Sons  of  Liberty,8  who 
there  meet  in  Hampden  Hall — a  name  odious  to  loyalty 
— and  plan  their  hostile  schemes.  Retaliating,  as  they 
choose  to  say,  they  conspire  and  combine  with  the  other 
Colonies  to  refuse  English  goods  ;  and  swear  that  tea 
shall  not  be  landed  nor  consumed  upon  this  soil,  because 
of  duties.  To  erect  liberty  poles  to  reckless  sentiment 
is  their  chief  contentment,  which  our  lads  cut  down. 

'In  1770  Lord  North  was  appointed  Prime  Minister.  His  first 
measure  was  a  repeal  of  the  port  duties,  with  the  exception  of  the 
duty  on  tea  ;  this  left  the  right  to  tax  in  full  force. — Frost. 

1  A  detachment  of  soldiers  [Boston  massacre],  under  the  command 
of  Capt.  Preston,  in  King  Street,  after  being  assaulted  with  snow- 
balls and  other  missiles,  fired  upon  the  populace,  killing  three  men 
and  wounding  others. — Frost. 

8  In  the  course  of  the  day,  January  18,  1770,  Seers  [Isaac  Seers,  a 
Son  of  Liberty]  and  others  entered  into  a  skirmish  with  the  soldiers, 
who  had  [on  January  13]  cut  down  the  liberty  pole.  In  a  general 
fight  the  soldiers  retreated  to  Golden  Hill.  In  this  trouble  several 
were  wounded  and  one  killed.  This  was  the  first  fight  of  the  Revo- 
lution.— Stones  History  of  New  York  City. 


6  WASHINGTON,  OK    THE  REVOLUTION. 

One,  Isaac  Seers,  I  remember,  is  the  chief  malefactor 
there,  as  are  Hancock  and  Sam.  Adams  here. 

THIRD  AID — Great 
God !  There  will  be 
bloodshed.  The  sol- 
diers prepare  to  fire. 

GAGE  —  So  be  it, 
then  !  [All  rush  to 
the  window.  The  rat- 
tling of  musketry  is 
heard,  and  the  smoth- 
ered cry  of  citizens. 
Returning  from  the  win- 
dow] The  hour  has 
struck,  and  death  grap- 
ples with  disloyalty. 
What  street  is  this  ? 

FIRST  AID  —  It  is 
King  Street. 

GAGE — And  this  is 
March,  the  month  of 
Mars,  the  very  god 

of  War ;  the  place  bears  its  name  as  if  in  royal 
honor.  Happy  omen — Mars  and  the  King  !  War  con- 
fronts us  now — and  it  shall  be  a  war  of  subjugation. 

[All  retire. 

SCENE  II.  Boston  Harbor.  Time,  December  16,  1773, 
evening.  Ships  at  the  dock.  Upon  the  wharf  enter  a 
crowd  of  unarmed  citizens,  male  and  female.  FARMER 
RICHARD  STANDISH  among  them;  called  FARMER 
DICK. 

FIRST  SPEAKER — There  lies  the  evidence  of  our 
abasement.1  [Pointing  to  the  ships]  Right  here  in  Bos- 
ton Harbor.  And  this  more  shame  to  us. 

1  The  East  India  Tea  Company  had  shipped  cargoes  to  Boston. 
When  the  first  ship  appeared,  December,  1773,  in  Boston  Harbor, 
a  mass  meeting  was  held  at  Faneuil  Hall.  It  was  adjourned  to  the 
Old  South  Meeting  House.  Sam.  Adams,  Hancock,  and  Warren, 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  7 

SECOND   SPEAKER — Won't   wood  burn  ?     There    are 
three  of  them. 

[Cries  and  shouts  :     "  Burn  ?     Yes  !  Yes  !    Try  it, 

try  it  !  " 
THIRD  SPEAKER — The  night  is  cold.     A  real  Decem- 


ber  nip.      Nine   days 
cold  at  Christmas. 


more  and   Christmas.      Always 


FOURTH  SPEAKER — A  fire  will  do  us  good. 

\Cries  :     "  A  fire  !  a  fire  !  " 

FIRST  SPEAKER — No  !  No  !     Citizens,  hear  me  !    We 
must  do  no  violence. 

and  others  conducted  the  business.  On  motion  of  Sam.  Adams  it 
was  resolved  the  tea  should  go  back.  "  The  only  way  to  get  rid  of 
it,"  said  another,  "  is  to  throw  it  overboard."  A  watch  was  proposed 
to  see  that  it  did  not  land.  A  party  of  twenty-five  was  appointed 
to  guard  the  tea  ships  during  the  night.  At  first  the  consignees 
refused  to  send  it  back.  The  master  of  one  vessel,  the  Dartmouth, 
finally  agreed  the  tea  should  go  back.  It  was  thought  this  ended 
the  matter,  as  the  other  consignees  did  the  same.  But  a  clearance 
for  the  ships  was  refused  at  the  Custom  House.  On  December  16, 
1773,  two  thousand  citizens  assembled  in  the  Old  South  Meet- 
ing House.  It  was  voted  the  tea  should  not  be  landed.  Josinh 
Quincy  tried  to  restrain  them  from  violence  and  urged  moderation. 
— Bancroft. 


8 


WASHINGTON.  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


FOURTH  SPEAKER — Why  not  ?  Tell  me  that  ?  Vio- 
lence enough  is  done  to  us  !  Who  says  we' must  do  no 
violence  ?  Better  keep  such  advice  at  home. 

FIRST  SPEAKER — Our  leaders.  This  is  private  prop- 
erty. There  are  the  ships  as  well  as  the  cargo.  It  is 
the  cargo  with  which  we  quarrel,  not  the  ships. 

FOURTH  SPEAKER — We  lead  ourselves  when  we  see 
a  pirate.  That  is  a  pirate  ship.  No  better  than  a 


pirate,  and  loaded  with  our  poison  ;  if  we  take  it,  it 
will  surely  take  us,  in  chains.  We'll  sink  her.  What 
say  you  all  ? 

[Cries  :  "  Sink  her,  burn  her,  a  tinder  box,  a  box  ! 

Bring  us  a  box." 

FIRST  SPEAKER — You  will  not  sink  her  while    I  am 
here,  unless  you  sink   me,  too.     In   the   "  old    South  " 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  9 

this  very  night,  yes,  and  for  many  nights,  in  Faneuil 
Hall,  you  have  heard  Sam.  Adams,  Hancock,  Warren, 
and  the  rest,  advise  that  these  ships  and  cargoes  be  sent 
back  to  London,  and  you  have  then  applauded.  Stand 
by  your  approval.  That's  what  I  say. 

THIRD  SPEAKER — That's  what  they  do  in  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  and  Charleston.  Send  them  back.  What 
is  good  enough  for  them,  is  good  enough  for  us.8  We 
will  stand  together,  and  obey  our  leaders. 

[Cries :     "  Too  late,   too   late.     To   the   bottom 
with  them." 

FARMER  DICK — A  word  before  you  act.  You  shall 
not  touch  a  single  rattling  upon  this  ship.  I  place 
myself  between  you  and  it,  and  he  who  reaches  her 
deck  must  first  meet  me. 

FOURTH  SPEAKER — Who  are  you  to  defy  us  thus  ? 
We  are  the  people,  the  Sons  of  Liberty.  Down 
with  him  ! 

[A  rush  is  made  and  DICK  assumes  an  attitude  of 
defiance. 

FARMER  DICK — You  ask  who  I  am  ?  You  have  the 
right  to  know  ?  My  name  is  Richard  Standish,  some- 
times called  Dick  Standish  or  Farmer  Dick.  My  home 
is  in  old  Middlesex,  within  sight  of  Boston.  Since  the 
time  when  my  revered  ancestors  helped  to  lay  the  foun- 
dations of  New  England's  rectitude,  we  have  been 
taught  that  law  covers  property  as  well  as  life.  You 
wrong  yourselves  to  do  as  you  propose. 

FOURTH  SPEAKER — He  says  well.  The  law,  the  law. 
The  law  will  guard  us.  Let  us  look  to  the  law. 

[Cries :  "  So  we  will,  so  we  will  !  " 

SECOND  SPEAKER — But  if  they  attempt  to  unload  this 
tea  ?  Then  let  them  take  care. 

FARMER  DICK — If  that  is  done,  or  even  threatened, 
then  we  will  meet  again. 

FIRST  SPEAKER — The  threat  is  made.     The  owners 

*  Tea  ships  were  sent  to  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Charleston, 
as  well  as  to  Boston,  and  they  were  sent  back. — Frost. 


to        WASHINGTON,  OK  THE  REVOLUTION. 

insist  upon  landing  it,  and  refuse  to  send  it  back.  Have 
you  not  heard  ?  But  no  matter.  Not  a  creature  will 
drink  it.  Let  it  alone.  It  would  choke  our  people. 

FARMER  DICK — Wisely 
said,  good  friend  !  But 
I  did  not  know  of  the 
threat  to  land  it.  I  would 
oppose  such  an  effort.  If 
the  destruction  of  this 
cargo  must  come,  let  it 
be  by  organized  hostility 
that  carries  with  it  the 
assurance  of  a  principle  ; 
not  by  an  irresponsible 
mob,  whose  acts  count 
for  nothing. 

[Many  voices :  "  Three 
cheers  for  Farm- 
er Dick !  Three 
cheers!"  They  are 
given. 

FIRST  SPEAKER — And  now,  all  to  Faneuil  Hall,  to 
hear  our  great  orators  upon  these  wild  times. 

[Cries  of  "  Yes,  yes  !     To  Faneuil  Hall,  to  Faneuil 

Hall!"     Alt  retire. 

[Pantomime  follows.*  A  party  of  fifty  men  rush 
upon  the  stage  disguised  as  Mohawk  Indians. 
They  perform  a  short  dance  upon  the  wharf. 
They  then  open  the  hatches  of  the  ships,  take  out 
the  cargo,  and  pour  it  into  the  water.  Then 
another  short  dance  upon  the  wharf.  All  re- 
tire. 

3  On  the  evening  of  i6th  of  December,  1773,  the  meeting  in  the 
Old  South  Meeting  House  was  adjourned  by  Sam.  Adams,  he 
saying  it  could  do  no  more.  Then  a  warwhoop  sounded.  Fifty  or 
more,  disguised  as  Indians,  passed  the  door,  and  encouraged  by 
Adams  and  Hancock  and  others  they  marched  to  the  wharf  of  the 
tea  ships.  While  the  people  looked  on  the  tea  chests  were  broken 
open  and  the  contents  emptied  into  the  bay,  without  the  least  injury 
to  other  property. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


II 


SCENE  III. — London,  Buckingham  Palace.     Time:  Feb- 
ruary, 1775.*    Royal  Audience  Chamber. 

Enter  KING  GEORGE  III.,  LORD  NORTH,  Prime  Minis- 
ter;  EARL  OF  HILLSBOROUGH,  Ex-Minister  oj 
State,  and  ADMIRAL  LORD  HOWE. 

THE  KING — Since  we  have  held  the  scepter  no 
weightier  care  has  come  to  us. 
These  Colonies  are  the  jewels  of 
our  crown  and  have  given  prom- 
ise, in  the  ripeness  of  time, 
with  a  sturdy  light,  to  em- 
blazon our  throne.  As  age 
saps  the  limbs  of  giants,  who 
lean  at  last  upon  lusty  youth, 
so,  in  the  round  of  nature,  this 
venerable  but  undaunted  isle 
might  expect  the  comfort  of 
this  younger  stock.  In  earlier 
days  our  faithful  subjects  have 
given  of  their,,  substance  that  this  Western  land 
should  take  its  station  as  a  worthy  compeer  among 
settled  states.  The  blood  of  England  has  paid  the  price 
for  these  rebellious  children  of  protection  against  the 
stealthy  savage  and  a  foreign  king.  Shall  all  this  go  as 
waste,  and  we  supinely  fold  our  arms  because  ungrateful 
treason  bids  us  do  so  ?  Such  has  never  been  the  quality 
of  English  rule,  nor  should  it  be  so  now.  Why  is  it, 
Howe,  that  you  still  persist  in  urging  a  milder  policy 
than  we  are  disposed  to  follow  ? 


*  Franklin  left  London  for  home  the  2Oth  of  March,  1775. — Ban- 
croft. 

This  scene  is  laid  just  previous  to  his  departure.  There  is  no  his- 
toric record  that  Franklin  saw  the  King  before  he  left,  but  it  is  a 
warrantable  dramatic  liberty  to  assert  he  did.  He  had  been  ten  years 
in  England  as  agent  of  the  Colonies.  A  terrible  issue  was  upon  all 
concerned.  It  was  presumably  his  duty  to  confer  with  the  King. 
The  actual  political  sentiments  of  all  the  parties  to  this  scene  have 
been  presented  as  accurately  with  history  as  possible. 

In  1770  Franklin  was  made  the  agent  of  Massachusetts  to  lay  com- 
plaints before  the  King. — Bancroft. 


12 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


ADMIRAL  HOWE — Pardon  me,  your  Majesty.  Among 
your  subjects  let  my  deeds,  and  those  of  ancestors  with- 
out a  stain,  be  sponsor  for  my  sincerity  that  lags  behind 
none  other.  I  abate  nothing  of  your  claim  upon  those 
who  now  give  frowns  where  gratitude  should  show.  I 
ask  an  audience  for  this  modest  man,  who  seeks  to  ex- 
plain the  reason  of  estrangement. 

KING — Lord  Dartmouth  is  our  Secretary  of  State, 
succeeding  Hillsborough,  whom  here  we  gladly  greet. 

Why  shall  this  man  trouble 
us  and  not  the  Minister, 
whose  duty  it  is  to  listen  ; 
and  doubtless  his  pleasure, 
too. 

HOWE — He     is   about    to 
leave  these  shores,  and  per- 
haps forever.     In  loyalty  he 
would   say  farewell  ;   and  to 
this  add,  if  so  permitted,  his 
final    plea   for    peace,   over 
which    fierce     Moloch    now 
shakes  his  dreaded  spear. 
KING — Have  we  not,  through  our  ministers,  been  sur- 
feited these  many  weary  years  with  all  that  he  would  say  ? 

HOWE — Your  Majesty,  a  King  who  would  not  be  mis- 
led where  controversy  holds  should  hear  either  argument. 
Ministers  are  but  mortal,  and  swaying  too  far  to  the  side 
of  self-conviction  is  only  natural.  But,  when  done,  the 
sovereign  is  sj;ill  the  loser.  This  man,  who  seeks  to 
speak  face  to  face  with  his  King, — from  whose  hands 
justice  receives  no  wound, — is  thus  impelled,  that  no 
argument  shall  fail  of  fair  presentment  in  a  matter  so 
swelling  in  importance.1 


1 "  I  [Thomas  Jefferson],  at  Philadelphia,  called  upon  the  beloved 
Franklin.  He  gave  me  a  paper  which  I  afterward  gave  to  his  son. 
It  contained  a  narrative  of  the  negotiations  between  Franklin  and  the 
British  ministry  to  prevent  a  contest  of  arms.  This  negotiation  was 
brought  about  by  Lord  Howe  [Admiral  Howe  of  the  Revolution], 
who  was  friendly  to  America  and  intimate  with  Dr.  Franklin." — 
Randolph. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  13 

KING — Agarn,  what  is  his  name  ?  There  are  in  Lon- 
don many  agents  of  these  colonies. 

HOWE — Benjamin  Franklin. 

KING — Franklin — a  name  not  unknown.  Is  he  that 
man  who,  some  twenty  years  ago,  drew  down  the  light- 
ning? 

HOWE — The  same,  your  Majesty  ;  and,  by  proof  now 
admitted,  established  the 
unity   of    lightning   and 
electricity. 

KING — A  wise  man 
and  a  benefactor. 

NORTH — He  should 
try  his  hand  upon  his 
stiff-necked  countrymen, 
and  draw  from  them 
the  lightning  of  dis- 
obedience. 

HILLSBOROUGH —  And 
thus  save  them,  perhaps, 
from  other  experiments,  with  the  sword  as  chief  weapon. 

NORTH — But  you  would  try  the  rod  before  the  sword  ? 

HILLSBOROUGH — Aye  !  and  if  one  did  not  serve,  the 
other  should.  A  most  pernicious  fellow.2 

NORTH — So  much  so,  that  you  are  now  Ex-Minister. 
Hillsborough,  you  have  good  cause  to  say,  "  a  most  per- 
nicious fellow."3 

KING — We  will  hear  this  man.  \_The  KING  bows  to 
HOWE,  who  retires^  A  sovereign  can  do  no  wrong  by 

2 "  His  lordship  [Hillsborough]  I  knew  had  expressed  himself 
toward  me  [Franklin]  in  angry  terms,  calling  me  a  factious,  mischiev- 
ous fellow  and  the  like." — Bigelow. 

'"Lord  Hillsborough,  notified  by  the  Committee  of  Council's 
approbation  of  our  grant  (urged  by  Franklin)  in  opposition  to  his 
report,  had  resigned.  [That  is,  as  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Colonies.] 
I  was  told,  as  a  secret,  that  Lord  Hillsborough  was  much  chagrined 
at  being  out  of  place  and  could  never  forgive  me,  etc."  [He  held 
Franklin  responsible.] — Bigelow. 

Franklin  suggested  Lord  Dartmouth  in  August,  1772,  as  Hills- 
borough's  successor. — Morse 's  Franklin. 


14  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

bending  his  ear  to  seek  the  truth,  no  matter  whence  it 
comes.  My  lords  [to  NORTH  and  HILLSBOROUGH,  who 
wove  away],  you  will  each  remain,  since,  through  years 
of  official  duties,  you  know  this  man. 

Re-enter  ADMIRAL  HOWE  with  FRANKLIN. 

KING — Your  petition  for  audience  favorably  con- 
sidered, we  are  pleased  to 
hear  that  which  you  would 
urge. 

FRANKLIN — And  may  my 
speech,  your  Majesty,  be 
worthy  of  my  text,  the  pac- 
ification of  the  American 
Colonies. 

NORTH — For  years,  you 
with  others  joined,  have  been  sermonizing  upon  that 
text,  and  mended  nothing  of  affairs.  Are  you  still 
here  as  authorized  representative? 

FRANKLIN — I  am  here  specially  as  the  agent  of  Penn- 
sylvania,4 Massachusetts,  and  others  of  the  Colonies.  I 
may  assume  to  speak  for  all,  since  one  interest  unites 
them  as  a  single  family.  My  countrymen  plead  for 
equality  with  others  under  the  Constitution.  To  accept 
less  in  their  eyes  is  ignominious.  If  they  are  stubborn 
in  their  demand,  be  it  remembered  they  are  of  English 
origin,  and  this  quality  their  heritage. 

KING — Will  you  be  specific  ? 

FRANKLIN — They  are  taxed  without  representation  ; 
they  may  be  transported  from  among  their  peers  to  be 
tried  by  strangers  in  a  foreign  land  ;  they  are  made  to 
contribute  to  a  military  force  for  their  own  subjugation  ; 
the  army  is  billeted  in  their  homes,  as  in  a  conquered 
province  ;  their  officials  for  domestic  and  civil  order 
are  named  in  a  distant  land,  and  sent  to  rule  over  them 
at  their  charge  ;  laws  have  been  passed  to  close  their 

4  On  the  26th  of  October,  1764,  Pennsylvania  made  Franklin  its 
agent  in  England.  In  1770  Massachusetts  did  the  same. — Bancroft, 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  15 

ports,  and  also  to  subvert  their  chartered  governments.6 
Shall  I  go  on  ? 

HILLSBOROUGH — And  for  this,  they  would  openly 
rebel  ;  ignoring  parental  right  to  such  return  as  comes 
from  grateful  offspring. 

FRANKLIN — The  Danes  and  Saxons  peopled  this  great 
isle  ;  and  after  them  the  Norman  engrafted  a  hardier 
shoot  upon  the  parent  tree.  A  rugged  union  these,  whose 
commingled  blood  over  all  competitors  has  raised  the 
standard  of  letters,  science,  art,  and  war.  Should  Dane, 
Saxon,  or  Norman  now  prefer  their  motherhood  as  their 
right  to  rule,  what  would  be  the  answer  ?  As  England 
would  speak,  so  speaks  America  to-day,  my  Lord  Hills- 
borough. 

HOWE — But  the  Stamp  Act  of  '65,  one  source  of 
grievance,  was  repealed  in  '66,  to  which  your  voice  con- 
tributed in  our  House  of  Commons.6 

FRANKLIN — The  repeal  came,  but  with  it  a  declaration 
of  right  to  bind  the  Colonies.7  A  luscious  fruit  was 
extended  with  a  thorn,  and  the  thorn  has  left  its  sting. 
And  following  came  a  statute  enlarging  the  demands 
upon  my  people.  Pardon  me  for  being  tedious. 
Though  this  last  has  since  been  modified,  and  the  bur- 
dens lightened — for  which  the  present  Ministry  be 
praised  B — the  act  of  kindness,  like  the  Trojan  steed,  con- 
ceals a  danger.  If  our  tea  is  legally  dutiable,  by  your  sole 
decree,  then  all  things  may  be  so.  We  are  no  party  to 
the  making  of  these  laws  and  changes,  and  hence  com- 
plain. 

NORTH — But  you  had  champions.  Fox,  and  Pitt, 
and  Burke,  and  others  gave  us  trouble,  holding  in  part 
your  views.  Do  you  count  them  as  nothing  ? 

5  See  Declaration  of  Independence. 

6  Franklin  was  examined  in  the  British  House   of  Commons   in 
1766,  relative  to  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act. — Bigelow. 

7  The  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act  of  1765  was  March  18,  1766,  but 
affirmed  "the  right  of  Parliament  to  bind  the  Colonies  in  all  cases 
whatsoever." — Bigelow. 

8  Lord  Howe's  Revenue  Act  of  1770,  repealing  the  duties  of  1767, 
except  that  on  tea. 


i6 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


FRANKLIN — Gratefully  as  America  will  ever  hold 
these  illustrious  names  in  memory,  yet  they  are  not  the 
chosen  of  our  will  :  but  are  the  noble  gifts  which  Right 
often  gains  in  her  battle  with  the  Wrong.  It  is  to  the 
honor  of  our  nature  that  long  suffering  sometimes  finds 
a  voluntary  friend. 

HOWE — And  Heaven  bless  with  peace  the  efforts  of 
these  friends  ! 

FRANKLIN — My  father  was  born  upon  this  soil.  I 
would  gladly  call  it  home,  if  so  I  may — a  wish  held  in 
common  with  my  people,  who  are  to  English  stock  also 
kinsmen.  These  words  suggest  the  daily  prayer  of 
millions  across  the  sea. 

KING — Such  loyalty  is  not  expressed  in  deeds. 

FRANKLIN — Pardon  me,  your  Majesty.  Every  foot 
of  soil  in  America  pours  forth  its  rill  of  loyalty  from  this 
ancient  spring.  New  England  repeats  Old  England, 
as  one  soul  breathes  from  another's  loins.  States  and 
towns,  by  names  of  love,  bind  us  with  kith  in  this  noble 
realm,  as  if  garnered  in  one  common  sheaf  from  English 
shires. 

KING — Your  people  have  shed  the  blood  of  our  sol- 
diers.     You  have  entered  into  a  combination  of  non- 
intercourse.      You   re- 
fuse our  products  and 
^-         defy     the     laws.       In 
->i          savage    disguise     you 
have    wasted   the  car- 
goes   of    our    faithful 
subjects.        Language 
most    treasonable   has 
found  public  utterance. 
For  all  this,  shall  we  be 
at  peace  as  the  price 
of    obedience  ?       The 
cost  outweighs  the  gain. 
-Be  at  peace,  your  Majesty,  because  Eng- 
land's sovereign   fears  to  do  a  wrong.      Be  at    peace, 
because  you   would  not  oppress  the    humblest  of  your 


FRANKLIN 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  17 

subjects.  He  rules  most  wisely,  who  bows  to  a  just 
demand.  My  people  have  transgressed.  But  who  may 
weigh  with  nicety  an  act  of  overwrought  feeling, 
and  say  here  is  too  much,  or  there  too  little  done  to 
win  a  generous  pardon  ?  Zealous  of  their  liberties, 
Americans,  with  the  courage  of  their  fathers,  have  stood 
on  guard,  and  perhaps  sometimes  have  wounded  pru- 
jdence.  My  King,  look  favorably  upon  those  who  ask 
only  that  they  may  live  as  men,  not  slaves. 

KING — And,  if  we  do  not  see  the  light  as  you  do, 
what  then  ? 

FRANKLIN — Your  Majesty,  would  that  I  could  make 
you  feel  the  weight  of  my 
forebodings  !  America  will 
never  consent  to  be  ruled 
as  a  subordinate.  Never  ! 
Never  !  Never  ! ' 

NORTH — Then  imperial 
policy  must  yield  to  popu- 
lar clamor.  This  means 
abdication. 

FRANKLIN — Say  that  imperial  policy  must  yield  to 
popular  rights,  and  both  gain  strength  from  mutual  con- 
tentment. 

NORTH — While  in  the  Commons  I  never  voted  for  a 
popular  measure,  but  ever  chose  the  opposite.10  When 
simple  duty  shall  direct  the  affairs  of  men,  the  people 
will  obey  such  government  as  their  superiors  may  grant. 
Why  should  men  reach  above  their  station,  and  wish  to 
leave  the  spade  to  spoil  the  scepter  ?  Men  are  born  to 
their  proper  place,  and  we  who  come  into  the  world  to 

9  Examination  of  Franklin  before  the  Commons  in  February,  1766  : 
Q.   "Do  you  not  think   the  people  of  America  would  submit  to 

pay  the  stamp  duty  ?" 

A.  "  No,  never,  never,  unless  compelled  by  force  of  arms." 
— Bigelow. 

10  Lord  North  was  opposed  to  reform  and  to  every  popular  meas- 
ure.    He  boasted,  "  that  since  he  had  sat  in  the  House  of  Commons 
he  had  voted  against  all  popular  and  in  favor  of  all  unpopular  meas- 
ures."— Bancroft. 


1 8  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

rule  find  opposition   irksome  which  emanates  from  the 
people  only. 

FRANKLIN — I  am  speechless,  my  Lord,  to  such  a 
statement. 

NORTH — If,  as  you  say,  our  Colonies  will  not  give  con- 
sent to  such  laws  as  the  King  and  Parliament  may  approve, 
this  realm  must  still  progress  as  best  it  may  without  it. 
My  voice  is  for  unconditional  submission.  And,  if  re- 
bellion come,  then  confiscation  will  serve  to  replenish 
our  nobles  for  heavy  losses  borne  through  years  of  Con- 
tinental wars.  So  conflict  will  bring  its  consolation  in 
rewards  to  those  who  have  won  them  by  their  fidelity  to 
the  Crown." 

FRANKLIN — I  can  say  no  more  than  to  thank  your 
Majesty  for  this  hearing.18 

KING — May  it  lead  to  a  better  understanding  between 
us  and  our  subjects  ! 

\The  KING,  NORTH,  and  HILLSBOROUGH  retire. 

HOWE — [FRANKLIN  exhibits  emotion]1*  Comfort,  my 
friend.  My  heart  went  with  you,  but  the  King  was 
obdurate. 

FRANKLIN — It  is  now  ten  years  since  last  I  came  upon 
English  soil,  and  in  all  that  time  have  sought  to  ward 
the  impending  blow.  I  must  now  go  home.  Home  ! 
Why,  where  is  that  ?  Not  here  !  Not  here  !  Oh,  my 
Lord,  may  you  never  know  how  heavy  is  the  heart  of 
him  who  can  no  longer  call  the  land  of  his  father,  home ! 
Such  fate  comes  to  me.  England  !  England  !  Gladly 
as  I  would  cling  to  your  glories  as  partly  mine,  I  re- 

11  "I  [Franklin]  remember  that  Lord  North's  answers  [in  the  ne- 
gotiations of  Lord  Howe,  see  Note  i]  were  dry  and  unyielding  for 
unconditional  submission,  and  betrayed  an  indifference  to  a  rupture. 
He  said  :  '  A  rebellion  was  not  to  be  deprecated  on  the  part  of  Great 
Britain  ;  that  the  confiscations  it  would  produce  would  provide  for 
many  of  their  friends.'  " — Randolph. 

"This  statement  of  Lord  North  [Note  n]  to  Franklin  indicated 
so  cool  a  purpose  in  the  ministry  as  to  render  a  compromise  hopeless, 
and  the  negotiation  ended. — Randolph. 

11  Franklin  cherished  a  personal  regard  for  the  King,  and  as  late 
as  1773  sought  excuses  for  his  conduct, — Morse's  Franklin, 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         19 

nounce  you  now  !  My  home,  henceforth,  is  with  those 
who  recognize  man  by  the  stamp  of  God  upon  him,  and 
for  the  worth  which  this  sign  shows.  Be  it  the  destiny 
of  the  land  to  which  I  hasten  to  give  this  sign  over  all 
the  world — a  rank  that  shall  yet  rebuke  the  insolence  of 
kings ! 

HOWE — You  talk  with  rashness.  And  yet  I  cannot 
chicle. 

FRANKLIN — No  !  No  !  my  Lord  !  In  this  dark  hour 
let  me  have  my  way,  as  one  who  looks  into  the  future 
with  the  gifts  of  prophecy.  The  curtain  lifts  upon  my 
vision,  and  the  horrors  of  the  coming  years  make  a  stout 
man  tremble.  America  will  fight — fight — to  her  last 
shilling  and  her  last  man.  In  this  contest  the  very  chil- 
dren just  released  from  the  parental  knee  will  forget 
their  weakness  ;  the  blushing  maiden  and  the  beardless 
boy  rushing  for  precedence,  to  cast  into  the  caldron  of 
seething  war  their  mite  for  their  country's  freedom.  The 
torch,  the  tomahawk,  and  the  bullet  may  do  their  work, 
but  death  itself,  though  it  ride  upon  every  gale,  shall 
not  subdue  us !  Beyond  this  dread  havoc  I  see  the  con- 
solation— a  new  nation  and  a  new  era,  the  boon  for  op- 
pressed humanity.  The  price  is  heavy,  but  the  gain  is 
great.  This  hope  lightens  present  burdens.  Home 
first,  my  Lord,  and  then  to  France  !  [All  retire. 


SCENE  IV.  Street  in  Richmond,   Va.     Time  :  March  24, 

1775- 

Enter  two  aged  citizens  from  opposite  directions. ' 

FIRST  CITIZEN  —  Good  morning,  neighbor  James — 
that  is,  if  anything  may  be  called  good  now. 

SECOND  CITIZEN — No,  no,  William  !  Be  sure  you 
make  no  criticism.  Keep  a  civil,  a  civil  tongue.  The 
tongue  !  Oh,  the  tongue  needs  watching  !  Now,  I  say, 
all  things  are  good.  No  man  can  blame  me  for  that — 
never  ! 

FIRST  CITIZEN — Heard  you  of  the  State  convention 


20 


WASHINGTON,    OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 


yesterday?    The  King  has  been  railed  against — right 
here  in  Richmond.     Heard  you  of  that,  I  ask  you  ? 

SECOND  CITIZEN — Of  course  ;  of  "course  !  I  keep  an 
open  ear  as  well  as  a  prudent  tongue.  I  can't  help  what 
other  men  will  do  and  say. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — Mark  me,  neighbor.  With  all  your 
prudence,  you  will  sweat  from  trouble.  Do  you  hear 
me  ?  Other  men  make  trouble,  and 
you  bear  it  like  an  ass.  It's  a  load 
upon  you,  whether  you  will  or  no. 
This  railing  upon  the  anointed  of  the 
Lord  will  be  an  ache  in  your  bones 
yet.  See  now  ? 

SECOND   CITIZEN — Well,  out  with 
it  !     Out  with   it,  now  !     How  came 
it  all  ?     Has  a  new  tax  been  called 
for  ?     Or  a  new  levy  against  the  red- 
skins ?     There  was  a  ring  around  the 
moon  last  night  wider  than  my  farm 
— too  wide   for  quiet  times.     Look 
for  events  when  you  see  that.     Yes,  yes  ! 
FIRST  CITIZEN — You  know  Patrick  Henry? 
SECOND  CITIZEN — Know  him  ?     All  men  know  him. 
For  years  he  has  been  the  tribune  of  the  people,  resisting 
tyranny  to  the  very  verge  of  danger.     A  bold  and  likely 
man.     No   wrong   to   him,    I    hope.     The   very   stones 
would  mutiny,  if  so. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — No  wrong  to  him — no,  indeed.  But 
wrong  from  him.  Aye,  yes  !  He  has  done  wrong  in 
speaking  as  he  has.  The  very  air  is  full  of  reports.  He 
may  involve  us  all  yet. 

SECOND  CITIZEN — What  has  he  said  now  ?  My  life, 
but  it  was  honest.  Honest,  though  it  sets  old  Virginia 
in  a  flame. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — He  has  done  that  very  thing.  He 
defied  King  George,  our  true  King  !  That  is  what  he 
did.  Openly  !  Openly,  as  if  he  had  never  heard  of  a 
halter  for  traitors. 

SECOND   CITIZEN — The  good    God,   who    doeth   all 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.        21 

things  well,  never  yet  provided  a  foot  of  earth  mean 
enough  to  grow  the  hemp  to  make  a  halter  for  Patrick 
Henry.  He  is  himself  a  king — nature's  appointed  king 
of  brave  and  honest  men. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — There  is  trouble  in  the  North.  Un- 
ruly men  have  dared  to  stand  against  royal  authority. 
Mutiny  !  Do  you  hear  ?  Rank  mutiny  and  rebellion  ! 
Well,  what  does  Henry  last  night  in  the  convention 
gathered  in  the  old  church,  but  commend  such  conduct. 
Yes,  he  did.  Do  you  oppose  the  King  ?  Tell  me,  now. 

SECOND  CITIZEN — I  cannot  say.  I  wish  peace  with 
all.  I  would  lay  these  old  bones  under  the  sod,  with  as 
little  trouble  as  possible  between  now  and  then.  But, 
as  I  love  justice,  I  dare  not  take  a  stand  against  Patrick 
Henry.  For,  though  he  wears  no  golden  crown  upon 
his  head,  yet  he  is  God's  anointed,  who  wears  the  crown 
of  courage  to  dare  all  things  for  his  fellow-creatures. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — Think  of  it  !  He  proclaimed,  "  The 
next  gale  that  sweeps  from  the  North  will  bring  to  our 
ears  the  clash  of  resounding  arms  "  ;  then  asked,  "  Why 
stand  we  here  idle  ?  "  "  Is  life  so  dear  or  peace  so  sweet 
as  to  be  purchased  at  the  price  of  chains  and  slavery  ?  " 
Is  it  slavery  to  obey  the  King  and  Parliament  ?  Then  he 
closed — hush  !  I  hardly  dare  to  utter  such  perfidy — with 
the  words,  "  I  know  not  what  course  others  may  take, 
but  as  for  me,  give  me  liberty  or  give  me  death  !  " ' 
What  think  you  of  that  ? 

SECOND  CITIZEN  [standing 
amazed  ~\ — What  do  I  think 
of  that  ?  So  much  do  I  think 
of  it  that  the  very  thought  is 
overwhelming.  It  is  as  if 
the  Blue  Mountains,  which 
overtop  our  State  like  sen- 
tinels, were  suddenly  aflame 
with  a  blaze  to  light  the  world.  Indeed,  this  is  impor- 
tant news.  Liberty  or  death,  did  you  say  ?  Portentous 
words  and  herald  of  great  deeds ! 

'  These  extracts  are  from  a  speech  by  Patrick  Henry  on  March  23, 
1775,  in  a  State  convention  in  Richmond,  Va. — Morse's  Patrick  Henry. 


22  WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — Why  think  you  this  ?  Are  all  things 
turned  topsy-turvy,  and  King  and  order  no  longer  re- 
spected ?  This  is  rank  treason,  whoever  says  it. 

SECOND  CITIZEN — We  will  be  swept  with  the  current. 
I  see  !  I  see !  Choose  for  yourself,  neighbor  ;  but,  as 


for  me,  I  go  with  the  tide  that  swells  toward  the  haven 
of  liberty.  Discussion  between  us  is  idle  now.  Henry 
has  thrown  the  gauge  of  battle,  and  we  are  for  or  against 
him.  Would  that  I  could  coin  each  drop  that  still  holds 
life  within  this  withered  frame  into  a  thousand  men,  and 
each  man  armed  to  sustain  our  bravest  orator.  Why, 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  23 

this  news  warms  me  into  youth,  and  puts  vigor  in  my 
limbs.  If  I  may  be  of  service,  I  shall  die  content. 

FIRST  CITIZEN — I  am  carried  along  by  you,  and  see 
through  your  eyes.  We  will  stand  or  fall  together. 
What  say  you  ?  Down  with  King  George  and  all  his 
tribe,  if  that  be  right,  and  I  guess  it  is,  if  Patrick  Henry 
says  so ! 

SECOND  CITIZEN — Friend,  you  speak  with  the  tongue 
of  all  true  sons  of  this  soil.  United  we  must  be,  and 
united  all  good  men  will  be.  Let  us  learn  more  of  this, 
and  our  knowledge  keep  company  with  the  rising  storm. 
Come,  come  !  The  ring  around  the  moon — I  read  it 
now — liberty  or  death  !  \Both  retire. 


SCENE  V.  A  lonely  spot  in  the  suburbs  of  Boston.    The  city 
in  the  distance.     Time  :  evening,  April  18,  1775. 

Enter  two  farmers  armed,  viz.,  FARMER  DICK  STANDISH 
and  FARMER  GEORGE  ALDEN. 

FARMER  GEORGE  [Peering  toward  Boston\ — Dick, 
my  eyes  are  tired  with  watching. 

FARMER  DICK — Tired  or  not,  we  must  not  fail  to  see 
the  signal.1 

GEORGE — The  church  steeple  is  as  black  as  our  cat. 

DICK — And  it  may  continue  so.  No  lantern  was  to 
shine  unless  old  Gage  sent  forth  his  troops. 

GEORGE — Who  hangs  the  signal  ? 

DICK — I  don't  know  nor  care.  It  is  enough  that  our 
friends  are  alert,  and  we  will  surely*  know  if  the  red- 
coats move  at  all. 

GEORGE — I  shall  be  glad  to  welcome  them — I  loaded 
on  purpose. 

DICK — It  would  grieve  me  if  I  wasted  ammunition. 

1  Gen.  Gage  resolved  to  strike  a  blow  [from  Boston],  as  the  King 
desired,  and  seize  the  military  stores  at  Concord.  The  attempt  had 
been  expected  [by  the  patriots]  and  signals  were  concerted  to  an- 
nounce the  first  movement  of  the  troops  for  the  country. — Bancroft. 


24          WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

"  Old  Rocks "  can  find  a  squirrel's  eye  at  a  hundred 
paces. 

{Affectionately  pats  "  Old  Rocks"  his  rifle. 

GEORGE — See  !     What  is  that?    A  light  in  the  steeple, 
sure  ! 

DICK  {Peering  ouf\ — I  see  nothing. 

GEORGE — There  !     There  ! 

DICK — Go  to  a  doctor,  to  heal  an  excited  mind.     The 
steeple  is  yet  as  black  and  silent  as  the  clouds  above  it. 


GEORGE — You  too  would  be  excited,  had  you  torn 
yourself  from  home  as  I  was  forced  to  do. 

DICK — We  fared  the  same  then,  for  I  came  off  by 
trickery.  Mother  and  the  little  ones  suspected  me  and 
dogged  my  steps;  I  pretended  to  be  asleep,  and  when 
all  was  quiet,  I  slipped  away. 

GEORGE — Grandfather  helped  me,  and  I  am  here. 

DICK — What,  he  in  his  eightieth  year,  and  yet  alive 
to  this?" 

GEORGE — You  should  see  him  !  He  sits  by  the  hour, 
with  that  old  sword  he  wore  at  Louisburg,  and  at 

1  In  the  Battle  of  Lexington  fell  the  octogenarian,  Josiah  Haynes. 
— Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION.  25 

Quebec,  and  talks  to  it.  "Are  you  here?"  says  he. 
"  Stand  by  me,  for  I  shall  need  you  yet.  Cursed  tyrants, 
why  did  I  hack  this  blade  for  you  upon  the  enemy  ? " 
and  more  like  this.  And  upon  sudden  approach  he 
springs  up  and  grasps  the  hilt  as  if  a  foe  were  here — 
and  then  sinks  back  again.  We  humor  him,  and  stand 
with  bowed  and  humbled  heads  in  the  presence  of  this 
helpless  patriotism,  that  would  scale  the  rampart,  yet 
cannot  reach  the  base. 

DICK — There  are  thousands  like  him.  Even  the 
women  and  children  are  full  of  fight. 

GEORGE — I  know  it.  But  I  see  this  example  and  so 
speak  of  him.  It  fires  my  blood  and  crams  me  from  top 
to  toe  with  vengeance.  He  knew  I  was  to  watch  for 
the  signal  to-night,  and  would  have  come,  had  I  con- 
sented. 

DICK— What  is  that  light  ?  Quick  !  See  !  in  the  old 
church  steeple  ! 

GEORGE — I  send  you  to  the  doctor  this  time. 

DICK — God  !  Man,  can't  you  see  ?  Where  are  you 
looking  ?  There,  in  the  belfry  ! 

GEORGE — Yes,   yes  !     I  was  looking  higher  up.      It 
is  there  !     It  is  the  signal.     The   soldiers  are  coming, 
and   we   must   alarm  our   friends.      Hark  !     Hark  !     I 
hear  the  clattering  of  a   horse- 
man.     He    comes    this   way. 
Listen  ! 

DICK — I  see  him.  There  ! 
There !  He  rides  with  the 
wind — don't  you  see  him  ?  A 
hundred  miles  around  there  is 
not  a  creature  who  does  not 
know  him — the  post-rider  of 
the  Sons  of  Liberty. 

GEORGE — It  is  Paul  Revere.3 

DICK — Of  course  !     Of  course  !    He  flies  faster  than 

'Warren,  at  ten  o'clock  [at  night,  April  18,  1775]  dispatched 
William  Daws  through  Roxbury,  and  Paul  Revere  by  way  of 
Charleston  to  Lexington. — Bancroft. 


26  WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

the  gale.  The  fire-eyed  hawk  would  beat  his  wings  in 
vain  and  lag  behind  him.  To  Concord — on  to  Concord 
he  goes,  to  prick  to  his  spring  the  crouching  lion  of  old 
Middlesex.  This  is  our  work  as  well  to  do — so  both  of 
us  away.  "Old  Rocks"  shall  speak  for  liberty  before 
another  day.  [Both  retire. 


SCENE  VI. — A  wood  on  roadside  near  Lexington.     Time  : 
April  19,  1775. 

Enter  in  haste,  an  ENGLISH  CAPTAIN,  exhausted. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Where  can  Lieut.  Harris  be  ? 
These  men  fight  like  devils. 

Enter  an  ENGLISH  LIEUTENANT — rushing  on. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Well  met,  Lieut.  Harris  !  From  a 
distance  I  saw  you  moving  in  this  direction,  and  thought 
to  cross  you.  Col.  Smith's  orders  are  to  hurry  messen- 
gers to  Gen.  Gage  for  re-enforcements.1 

LIEUTENANT — Am  I  to  take  this  order,  Captain  ? 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Yes.  As  the  Colonel's  mounted 
aid  to-day,  this  duty  falls  to  you.  The  safety  of  the 
whole  command  may  rest  with  your  performance. 
Others  have  been  dispatched  upon  like  mission,  for  num- 
bers cheat  chance  of  failure.  The  dispersal  of  an  angry 
mob  is  not  the  work  before  us,  but  the  subjugation  of 
men,  who  look  with  steady  scorn  into  the  very  muz- 
zles— that's  what  we  have  been  sent  to  do. 

LIEUTENANT — My  horse  is  down,  and  alone  I  was 
seeking  our  troops. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Cross  to  the  right — there  are 
our  disjointed  lines.  Impress  the  first  and  fleetest  steed 
— the  orders  of  the  Colonel  commanding — and  ride  as 
if  hell  were  after  you  ;  for  so  it  is. 

LIEUTENANT — Yes  !    and    in   me,  too.      A  drop  of 

'On  the  evening  of  April  18,  1775,  General  Gage  sent  Colonel 
Smith  and  Major  Pitcairn  with  a  force  to  destroy  the  stores  at 
Concord. — Frost. 


28  WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

water — oh  !  for  a  drop  of  water — our  men,  flying  from 
these  huntsmen,  drop  in  their  tracks  from  fatigue  and 
thirst.'  [Retires. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — We  must  change  our  books 
and  revise  the  art  of  war,  when  war-scarred  veterans 
are  thus  routed  by  mud-smeared  plowmen.1 

Enter  from  behind   him   an  ENGLISH    SERGEANT,  who 
rushes  upon  the  stage. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN  [Startled  and  raising  his  sword, 
swinging  around.]  Who's  there  ?  Surrender,  or  die  ! 

SERGEANT — Why,  Captain,  don't  you  know  me  ? 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN  [Exhausted  and  staggering  into 
the  SERGEANT'S  arms.']  Know  you  ?  Know  you  ?  I 
don't  know  myself.  Sergeant,  where  is  our  company? 
Bearing  important  dispatches  I  left  the  line,  and  was 
pursued.  Exhausted,  I  reached  this  spot  and  conveyed 
my  orders  to  an  aid. 

SERGEANT — Like  others,  our  company  have  aban- 
doned the  common  road.  Over  pathless  fields  each 
seeks  in  flight  his  safety.  On  every  side  the  enemy 
harass  us. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — May  the  fiend  catch  them  all  ! 
The  surprise  of  this  stings  most.  To  be  defeated  where 
possibilities  might  crown  a  rival,  can  be  borne  ;  but  de- 
feated when  contempt  rode  foremost  in  your  march,  is 
humiliating.  What  place  is  this? 

SERGEANT — They  call  it  Lexington. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — May  it  never  have  historian,  for 
our  sake  !  It  was  at  the  meeting  house,  as  these  people 
call  it, — and  well  named,  for  here  we  met  much  more 
than  we  expected, — a  sleepy  militia  was  this  morning  en- 
countered, rubbing  their  eyes,  as  we  thought,  to  see  the 
run  rise.  We  had  marched  through  the  night  and  were 

1  British  troops,  greatly  exhausted  and  fatigued,  began  to  run 
rather  than  retreat  in  order. — Bancroft. 

1  The  indignant  yeomanry  of  the  land,  armed  with  their  fathers' 
weapons,  poured  to  the  spot  of  this  strange  tragedy. — Frost,  quoting 
Ed-ward  Everett. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


29 


in  no  humor  for  civilities.  These  leek-eating  soldiers 
stood  with  arms  in  their  hands  and  treason  in  their 
looks.  It  was  the  sullenness  of  the  caged  beast  before 
the  lash.  Major  Pitcairn  rode  up  ancj  commanded  : 
"  Lay  down  your  arms  and  disperse,  you  rebels  !  "  Not 
a  man  obeyed  ;  not  a  man  stirred  in  his  tracks.  There 


they  stood,  in  embattled  line,  disputing  the  King's  au- 
thority. A  volley  followed.4  That  was  all  I  saw.  Ser- 
geant, how  many  fell  ?  I  was  blind  with  rage  and  rushed 
onward  with  my  company.  The  stores  at  Concord,  the 
object  sought 

4  When  the  British  troops  reached  Lexington,  about  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  a  small  body  of  militia  was  paraded  in  front  of  the 
meeting  house.  Major  Pitcairn  rode  up,  calling  out,  "Disperse, 
ye  rebels  ;  disperse."  His  soldiers  commenced  a  scattering  fire. 
Eight  [seven  by  Bancroft]  were  killed  and  a  number  wounded. — 
Frost. 

The  main  body  now  proceeded  to  Concord  and  destroyed  the 
stores. — Frost, 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


SERGEANT — Seven  fell  at  our  fire  and  more  were 
wounded.  They  then  fell  back,  and  without  returning 
a  shot. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Yes  ;  fell  back  to  strike  a  better 
blow. 

SERGEANT — But  we  destroyed  the  stores  at  Concord, 
or  such  as  we  could  find,  before  the  sun  was  three  hours 
up,  and  then  turned  homeward. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — And  then  our  rout.  That  is  the 
word  to  use.  It  is  now  past  noon,  and  English  soldiers 

are  scurrying  still  be- 
fore these  rabbit-hunters. 
They  seemed  to  rise  out 
of  the  very  ground  after 
the  volley  at  the  Concord 
Bridge.*  The  bushes, 
fences,  and  the  trees  gave 
them  life,  and  every  hill- 
top has  swarmed  all  day 
with  the  motley  gather- 
ing.' They  surely  had  no- 
tice of  our  coming.  Their 
rifles,  flint-locks,  and  even 
pitchforks — for  such  their 
weapons  were  —  have 
borne  us  down,  carrying 
the  best  of  armament. 
What  is  the  war-cry,  at 
which  they  rally  and  rush 
on  ?  I  did  not  catch  it ; 
but  feared  more  than  once  that  it  might  catch  me. 

SERGEANT — I  heard  the  same.  The  cry  was  Liberty 
or  Death  ! 

5  While  they  [the  British]  were  engaged  on  their  errand  [in  Con- 
cord] the  militia  of  Concord  and  neighboring  towns  gathered  at  the 
Concord  Bridge.  The  British  at  the  bridge  began  to  tear  it  up,  and 
fired  upon  the  militia.  A  general  action  now  ensued,  which  ter- 
minated in  the  retreat  of  the  British.  It  was  now  noon. — Frost,  quot- 
ing Everett. 

*  Every  height  of  ground  was  covered  with  the  avengers.  Every 
patch  of  trees,  every  rock,  every  stone-wall  was  lined  with  an  unin- 
termitted  fire. — Frost,  quoting  Everett. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  31 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Liberty  or  Death  !  Was  that  it  ? 
Backed  by  courage,  this  cry  in  itself  is  an  assaulting 
column.  Oh,  that  re-enforcements  were  come  ! 

Enter  an  AMERICAN  CAPTAIN  with  FARMER  DICK  and 
two  armed  men,  rushing  upon  the  stage. 

AMERICAN  CAPTAIN — Surrender  ! 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN  [drawing  his  sword\ — To  whom, 
and  by  what  authority  ? 

AMERICAN  CAPTAIN — By  the  authority  of  united  free- 
men, to  whom  God  alone  is  king  ! 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — Insolent  traitor  !     Crawl  to  my 
feet  for  pardon,  lest  I  let  out  your  worthless  life  as  an 
offering  to  England's  sovereign — your  King  and  mine. 
[Advances  with  his  sword  as  if  to  strike,  and  the 
Americans  level  their  guns. 

AMERICAN  CAPTAIN  [with  his  sword  throws  up  the 
muzzles  of  the  other  arms] — Don't  fire,  men.  We  respect 
the  defenseless,  however  great  the  provocation. 

FARMER  DICK — I  wanted  Old  Rocks  to  look  at  him  ; 
that  is  all,  and  know  him  if  we  meet  again.  I'll  hold  the 
charge  for  other  game.  Bullets  are  scarce  and  game  is 
plenty. 

ENGLISH  CAPTAIN — We  are  your  prisoners. 

Enter  two  American  MILITIAMEN,  who  rush  upon  the  stage, 

armed. 

MILITIAMAN  [to  AMERICAN  CAPTAIN] — Quick,  quick, 
captain,  or  the  British  will  be  upon  you  !  Lord  Percy 
has  come  up  with  fresh  troops.7  Our  men  are  saving 
their  prisoners  and  falling  back.  The  assailants  retire  also. 

AMERICAN  CAPTAIN — Between  here  and  Boston  our 
friends  may  continue  the  dance  by  us  begun.  Here  we 
will  stop.  A  glorious  ending  of  a  glorious  day.  For- 
ward— march  ! 

[All  retire,  the  prisoners  between  the  soldiers. 

1  At  that  moment  [two  in  the  afternoon]  Lord  Percy  came  in  sight 
with  a  fresh  brigade.  He  received  the  fugitives  in  a  hollow  square, 
who  lay  down  for  rest  upon  the  ground,  their  tongues  hanging  out  of 
their  mouths  like  those  of  dogs  after  a  chase. — Bancroft. 


32  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


SCENE  VII.  A  redoubt  on  Bunker  s  Hill.  Time  :  June 
*7»  I775-  American  soldiers  on  guard,  looking  over 
toivard  Boston,  with  and  without  uniform.  FARMER 
DICK  with  them. 

Enter  GEN.  PUTNAM,  with  three  AIDS. 

PUTNAM — Let  no  man  fire  till  he  can  see  the  whites 
of  their  eyes.1  The  slaughter  on  yonder  field  attests 

the  wisdom  of  this  opening 
order.  First  Lexington,  and 
last  month  Ticonderoga." 
This  is  a  good  beginning. 
April  gave  the  shower,  and 
May  the  bud  ;  this  blazing 
June  shall  help  the  ripening. 
So  roll  the  months  until  the- 
harvest.  Twice  to-day  have 
solid  columns  pushed  up  to 
our  muzzles,  and  been  twice 
hurled  back  with  bloody 
reckoning.3  Praised  be  for- 
tune, that  binds  the  Mystic 
and  the  Charles  on  either 
side,  and  so  masses  them  in 
front  on  this  narrow  neck. 
FIRST  AID — The  enemy  form  again  and  prepare  for  a 
third  assault. 

PUTNAM — Well,  let  them  come.  We  will  receive  them 
as  before  ;  and  then  home  to  dinner,  after  a  good  day's 
work.  Where  is  Prescott,  our  chief  in  this  day's 
struggle  ? 4 

1  "  Let  no  man  fire  till  he  can  see  the  whites  of  their  eyes,"  was 
Prescott's  order  at  Bunker  Hill. 

8  Lexington,  April  19,  1775  ;  Ticonderoga  captured  by  Ethan  Allen 
May  10,  1775. 

*  The  British  troops  marched  to  the  attack  [Bunker  Hill].  The 
Americans  poured  upon  them  such  a  deadly  fire  that  their  line  was 
broken  and  driven  in  disorder.  They  were  rallied  and  again  led  to 
the  charge,  received  another  deadly  fire  and  a  second  time  retreated 
in  confusion. — Frost. 

4  Prescott  was  commander-in-chief  by  consent  of  all. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  33 

SECOND  AID — Just  now  he  is  inspecting  the  right. 

_  PUTNAM — And  Gen.  Stark  ?     I   have  not  seen  him, 
though  I  have  traversed  half  the  line. 

THIRD  AID — Gen.  Stark  is  at  the  water  battery  near 
the  rail  fence. 

PUTNAM — And  Warren  ? 

FIRST  AID — On  the  left.  He  has  held  his  place  since 
noon,  as  a  volunteer  in  the  ranks.5 

PUTNAM — It  was  at  that  hour  of  noon  the  fight  began, 
while  the  sun,  with  its  impartial  beams,  was  scorching 

either   army.'     That  smoke  in 
the  distance  !     Look  ! 

SECOND  AID — It  is  Charles- 
town,  burning  still,  fanned  into 
flame  again  with  the  changing 
breeze. 

PUTNAM — Degenerate  com- 
manders !  Did  not  this  in- 
fernal heat  of  a  summer's  sun 
and  giant  battle  suffice,  with- 
out  this  torch  !  In  our  next 
volley  be  all  this  avenged. 
From  daylight  till  now,  these  ships  of  war  in  front, 
with  the  water  batteries,  have  rained  upon  us,  and  yet 
the  men  budge  not.7 

Enter  an  ORDERLY  in  great  haste,  from  the  right. 

ORDERLY — The  commanding  officer's  compliments  to 
Gen.  Putnam,8  and  directs  an  immediate  supply  of  bul- 
lets to  Gen.  Stark. 

5  Prescott  proposed  that  he  [Warren]  should  take  command  ;  he 
answered,  as  he  had  done  to  Putnam:  "I  come  as  a  volunteer  to 
learn  from  a  soldier  of  experience." — Bancroft. 

6  The  day  was  one  of  the  hottest  of  the  season. — Bancroft. 

1  The  cannonade  from  the  batteries  and  the  shipping  could  not  dis- 
lodge them. — Bancroft. 

8  Putnam  [though  without  command]  was  everywhere  cheering  the 
whole  command.  From  first  to  last  Putnam  took  an  active  interest, 
and  the  appointment  of  Prescott  to  the  command  was  with  his  con- 
currence.— Bancroft. 


34  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE   REVOLUTION. 

PUTNAM — May  Heaven  then  defend  us !  Has  it 
come  to  this  ?  Bullets  !  We  have  none  here  to  spare.9 
The  foe  prepares  again  to  follow  the  paths  it  has  crim- 
soned twice  already,  and  our  pouches  are  nearly  empty. 
I  can  send  none.  Not  one. 

ORDERLY — Is  this  the  answer  to  Col.  Prescott  ? 

PUTNAM — No  !  No  !  The  very  ground  we  tread 
upon  supplies  the  need.  Tell  Col.  Prescott  to  turn  to 
the  stones  around  him.  The  hills — the  roads — the 
paths  we  walk  are  full  of  bullets,  long  hidden  for  our 
purpose.  The  great  King  above  us  all  placed  them 
there  against  the  direful  need  of  this  very  day.  Pound 
up  the  rock  and  therein  find  the  stony  bullet,  that  will 
speak  to  the  English  heart  as  eloquently  as  lead  in  this 
strife  for  freedom.  Take  this  message  back. 

[ORDERLY  retires. 

PUTNAM — So  long  as  trusty  rifles  and  the  solid  hills 
remain,  who  shall  feel  dismay  ? 

Enter  four  SOLDIERS  with  an  ENGLISH  MAJOR  as  prisoner. 

PUTNAM — What  have  we  here  ? 

SOLDIER — This  prisoner  was  taken  in  the  second  as- 
sault ;  and  Gen.  Warren  requests  that  you  will  question 
him. 

PUTNAM — Who  commands  these  assaulting  columns 
and  their  strength  ?  Answer,  if  you  would  live. 

PRISONER — By  Gen.  Gage's  orders,  Gen.  Howe  and 
Gen.  Pigot  with  about  two  thousand  men  made  the 
attack  this  noon.  Being  repulsed,  the  second  effort — 
now  three  thousand  men  advancing — ended  as  the  first. 
Before  I  was  made  a  prisoner,  I  learned  that  Gen. 
Clinton  now  gives  his  aid. 

PUTNAM — How  heavy  has  been  your  loss  ? 

PRISONER — More  than  a  thousand  soldiers  lie  on  the 
ground  in  front. 

*  The  ammunition  [for  the  fight]  had  been  distributed  in  haste. 
Two  flints,  a  gill  of  powder,  and  fifteen  balls  to  each  man.  The  balls 
had  to  be  suited  to  guns  of  different  caliber.  It  was  the  rude  turn-out 
of  yeoman  soldiery. — Irving. 


'WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  35 

PUTNAM — Terrific  punishment.  But  no  more  than 
justice.  What  means  this  present  changing  of  the  fleet 
and  of  the  artillery  ? I0 

PRISONER — I  know  no  more  than  I  can  guess. 

PUTNAM — Well,  then,  as  you  guess. 

PRISONER — It  is  to  enfilade  your  lines  ;  and  so  assist 
the  attack  in  front,  already  found  to  be  disastrous  where 
unsupported. 

PUTNAM — You  are  right.  I  have  no  more  to  ask. 
You  may  go.  [SOLDIERS  retire  with  the  PRISONER. 

PUTNAM — This  change  of  ships  !  These  enfilading 
batteries  !  Without  sufficient  artillery,  how  can  we 
oppose  ? 

Enter  an  ORDERLY  from  the  left. 

ORDERLY — Major  Knowlton  sends  word  to  Gen.  Put- 
nam that  Gen.  Warren  has  been  hit  and  has  this  instant 
died.11 

PUTNAM — Dead  !  Warren  dead  !  You've  chilled 
the  very  pith  and  marrow  of  my  life  to  tell  me  so. 
Gallant  and  gentle  Warren  dead  ;  and  we  of  only  half 
his  worth  still  left  with  vigor.  This  is  rank  injustice, 
chargeable  to  death.  Martyr  to  the  rights  of  man,  in 
immortal  realms  be  now  chief  embassador  to  annul 
these  wrongs  of  tyrants.  My  friend  gone  !  Forever 
gone  !  This  loss — this  heavy  loss  to  us — is  like  that  of 
a  man  with  a  limb  lopped  off,  an  eye  plucked  out,  and 
compelled  to  go  the  way  of  life  henceforth  without  their 
helpful  service.  For  he  was  both  prop  and  sight  upon 
our  toilsome  journey.  This  sorrow  will  sit  on  every 
lid  throughout  the  land,  and  flood  great  grief  with  tears. 
The  festering  victims,  now  strewing  yonder  slopes,  all 
combined  in  one,  were  fractionized  in  life,  by  the  greater 
,  virtues  of  this  single  soul.  Immortal  spirit !  hover  near 

10  While  a  part  of  his  force  [the  British]  was  engaged  [for  a  third 
assault]  the  rest  brought  field-pieces  to  enfilade  the  breastwork  on 
the  left. — Irving. 

The  number  of  killed  and  wounded  of  Gage's  troops  was  at  least 
one  thousand  and  fifty. — Bancroft. 

11  Just  at  the  moment  of  retreat  fell  Joseph  Warren. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


us  now,  while  yet  the  battle  warms  ;  our  vengeful  swords 
will  exact  great  recompense,  or  some  of  us  shall  bear  you 
friendly  company  ! 

Enter  an  ORDERLY  in  great  haste  from  the  left. 

ORDERLY — Major  Knowlton's  compliments  to  Gen. 
Putnam,  and  requests  his  help  for  an  immediate  jupply 
of  powder.18 

PUTNAM  [staggering  back  in  alarm] — You  know  not 
what  you  ask  •  and  so  strike  terror  to  a  soul  that  never 

quailed  before.  I  have 
sought  the  cave  of  the 
savage  beast,  and  alone 
dragged  him  forth  to 
slaughter;  facing  his 
glowing  eyes  a'nd  hiss- 
ing anger,  these  nerves 
were  like  stringed  steel, 
which  now  shake  with 
fear.13  There  is  the 
advancing  foe.  Here 
we  stand,  as  firm  as 
the  eternal  hills,  if  with 
means  provided  to  hurl 
them  back  again.  What  can  we  do  ?  Great  God  !  It  is 
your  cause  that  trembles  in  the  balance  for  want  of  this 
commodity.  Oh  !  would  that  I  could  transmute  these 
perspiring  drops,  each  one  into  a  ton,  your  chief  should 
have  it  all  !  Where  in  all  nature's  laboratory  may  we 
find  powder,  ready  magazined,  to  help  us  do  our  work 
upon  these  advancing  hosts  ?  Bullets  may  be  found 
innocent  of  molds,  but  powder  may  not  be  so  quarried. 
I  can  send  no  powder.  [ORDERLY  re  fires.']  The  fight  is 
already  on,  and  lamentation  turns  not  back  the  foe. 
Each  man  to  his  place,  and  in  our  last  volley  let  no  shot 
fail  to  find  its  living  target.  Take  aim,  steady,  fire  ! 

[A  volley  with  a  cheer  is  fired  from  the  redoubt. 

19  The  Americans  had  fired  their  last  round — their  ammunition  was 
exhausted. — Irving. 

15  At  Pomfret,  Conn.,  where  he  lived,  Putnam,  about  1740,  entered 
a  she-wolf's  den  and  killed  the  beast. — Irving. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


37 


PUTNAM — Well  done  !  Well  done  !  The  lines  reel 
again.  So  be  it  ever,  with  a  foe  confronting  New  Eng- 
land's rifles. 

Enter  ORDERLY*  in  great  haste  from  the  right. 

ORDERLY — The  commanding  officer,  Col.  Prescott, 
orders  a  retreat  from  failure  of  ammunition.14 

PUTNAM — Then  we  will  retire,  before  the  enemy  forms 
again. 

FARMER  DICK — Shall  we  reverse  our  empty  guns,  and 
let  these  English  know  that  both  ends  are  mortal  ?ls 

PUTNAM — Do  you  so,  every  man.  A  wise  suggestion. 
Sound  the  retreat  !  {Bugle 
sounds  retreat.]  Dismal  ne- 
cessity that  compels  this 
order.  Fall  back,  with  face 
to  the  foe,  that  he  may  see 
we  intend  to  spring  again. 
The  ancient  Greek  upon  the 
Attic  plain  beat  down  the 
Persian,  though  ten  to  one 
against  him,  and  gave  the  world  an  empire.  The  pride 
of  England  humbled  here,  there  is  no  seer  with  vision 
far  enough  to  see  the  glories  of  the  coming  state. 

We've  done  our  work  like  men  to-day ; 

Let  him  dispute  who  will. 
Hence,  with  the  name  of  Marathon, 

Write  that  of  Bunker  Hill. 

{Bugles  again  sound  retreat.  The  Americans  fall 
back,  and  English  soldiers  rush  in  over-  the 
redoubt. 

14  The  ammunition  being  expended,  Prescott  gave  the  word  of 
retreat. — Bancroft. 

uThe  ammunition  exhausted,  now  succeeded  a  deadly  struggle, 
hand  to  hand,  with  bayonets,  stones,  and  the  stocks  of  their  muskets. 
— Irving. 

CURTAIN. 
END    OF    ACT     I. 


ACT  II. 


SCENE  I.  Open  tent  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
American  forces  at  Cambridge.  Time:  November ; 
1775  '>  mght. 

GEN.  GEORGE  WASHING  TON  found  in  his  tent  examining 
records  by  the  light  of  a  candle. 

WASHINGTON — The  sword,  unsheathed  and  without 
a  scabbard,  is  given  to  my  keeping.1  Heavy  responsi- 
bility, to  weave  into  the  robe  of  order  these  tangled 
shreds  ! '  The  brave  man's  hopes,  the  coward's  fears,  the 
patriot's  wish,  and  the  traitor's 
cunning  are  here  for  sifting ; 
the  good  from  the  evil  gather- 
ing. May  one  man  do  this  work  ? 
Presumptuous  mortal  he,  who 
would  not  lean  confidingly  upon 
more  than  mortal  promise.  I 
must  walk.  This  care  weighs 
upon  me  and  sleep  is  banished, 
except  when  nature  grimly  asserts 
her  claims,  regardless  of  a  burning 
brain,  and  then  the  body  sleeps. 

[  Walks  out  before  his  tent.]  This  frosty  air  is  full  of 
exhilaration,  nature's  tonic  to  amend  our  waste.  As  far 
as  the  eye  can  reach,  from  camp  to  camp,  light  calls  to 

1  George  Washington  was  made  by  Congress  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  Continental  Army,  June  15,  1775.  On  the  3d  of  July  following 
he  took  command  of  the  army  at  Cambridge. — Bancroft. 

*  The  camp  contained  a  people  in  arms  rather  than  an  army.  No 
one  could  tell  its  numbers  or  its  stores.  The  soldiers  had  enlisted 
under  different  agreements  and  short  periods.  Each  Colony  had  its 
own  military  government  and  system  of  supplies. — Bancroft. 

38 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  39 

light,  Be  watchful  of  the  foe.3  Without  a  flag,  without 
a  purpose  definite,  without  arms,  ammunition,  and 
money,  was  ever  commander  more  sorely  tried  ?4  The 
daring  spirit  is  here,  but  all  else  is  absent.5  Coming 
and  leaving  at  their  own  will,  since  a  July  sun  saw  my 
arrival,  twice  over,  if  no  more,  have  these  changing 
thousands  been  trained  to  military  order ;  and  this 
needed  order  as  many  times  been  lost.8  The  mothers 
on  the  surrounding  acres  are  the  commissaries  to  these 
soldier  sons.7  Gathered  here  to  resist  the  King,  daily 
the  chaplain  calls  down  blessings  upon  his  royal  head, 
and  the  soldiers  say,  Amen.8  With  no  organized  state 
directing  us,  what  are  we  but  rebels  against  defined  au- 
thority. Marvelous  uprising  ! 9  Marvelous  submission 
of  mortal  powers  to  forces  yet  unknown  ! 

Enter  FRANKLIN. 

FRANKLIN — From  my  tent  I  saw  you,  General ;  and 
could  not  resist  an  old  man's  wakefulness  and  wish  to 

8  Washington  found  the  army  in  a  semicircle  nine  miles  long.— 
Bancroft, 

4  No  flag  had  yet  been  adopted  by  Congress,  and  the  soldiers  filled 
college  halls,  churches,  and  dwelt  as  accident  permitted. — Bancroft. 

6  In  the  great  number  of  able-bodied  men — active,  zealous,  and 
courageous — Washington  saw  the  materials  for  a  good  army.  But 
there  was  the  most  urgent  need  of  tents,  clothing,  hospitals,  of  every 
kind  of  arms,  and,  most  of  all,  of  powder.  And  yet  no  money  had 
been  provided.  The  life  of  Washington  at  Cambridge  was  one  con- 
tinual round  of  vexation  and  fatigue. — Bancroft. 

The  supply  of  arms  and  ammunition  was  scanty,  the  troops  being 
without  bayonets  and  having  but  nine  rounds  of  cartridges  each. — 
Frost. 

6  From  short  enlistments  troops  were  constantly  changing,  and  lost 
as  soon  as  trained. — Bancroft. 

1  The  mothers,  wives,  brothers,  and  sisters  of  the  soldiers  were 
constantly  coming  to  the  camp  with  supplies  of  clothing  and  house- 
hold gifts.  Each  householder  was  a  commissary.—  Bancroft. 

8  The  chaplains  kept  alive  the  custom  of  daily  prayer. — Bancroft. 
[And,  of  course,  prayed  for  the   King,   since  there  was  no  formal 

separation.] 

The  Colonists  were  professing  allegiance  to  a  power  which  their 
martial  battalions  were  opposing. — Frost. 

9  But  for  this  [private  aid]  the  forces  must  have  dispersed.     Why 
they  did  not  cannot  exactly  be  told. — Bancroft. 


40  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

join  you  in  the  healthful  draughts  which  this  November 
night  distills.10 

WASHINGTON — To  me  you  are  ever  welcome  ;  both  by 
day  and  night. 

FRANKLIN — I  have  been  busy  with  the  plan,  for 
which,  with  Lynch  and  Harrison  as  commissioners  from 
Congress,  I  am  here  in  your  camp  in  Cambridge. 

WASHINGTON — If  you  have  reached  a  plan  available, 
you  have  now  the  right  to  be  called  once  more  a  bene- 
factor. 

FRANKLIN — As  you  already  know,  in  July  last  I  re- 
ported a  method  to  Congress  for  changing  this  chaos  of 
divided  Colonies  into  a  solid  and  central  power. 

WASHINGTON — With  deepest  interest  I  have  watched 
your  steps.  Unless  good  counsel  directs  us  some  such 
way,  all  is  surely  lost. 

FRANKLIN — I  urged  the  independence  of  each  separate 
State.  These  confederated  into  a  Union,  with  powers 
limited,  for  the  good  of  all.11 

WASHINGTON — A  self-evident  advantage.  No  interest 
lost  to  any,  no  pride  wounded,  and  strength  added  to 
every  part — being  bound  as  many  into  one.  This  is  a 
safe  road  to  follow. 

FRANKLIN — The  pear  that  hangs  suspended — without 
shock  rudely  applied — will  not  fall  till  ripe  and  ready, 
for  so  nature  wills.  The  state  will  grow,  as  grows  the 
fruit,  and  at  maturity  with  a  blessing  shield  us.  In 
either  case,  to  hasten  time  and  season  is  a  danger. 

WASHINGTON — Then,  as  I  read  your  words,  we  are  not 

10  On  the  30th  of  September,  1775,  Congress  appointed  Franklin, 
Lynch,  and  Harrison  to  visit  the  camp  of  Washington  and  to  devise 
a  method  for  enlisting  the  army  anew,  because   all  supplies  were 
needed,  and,  by  the  terms  of  enlistment,  the  army  would  disband 
in  December. — Bancroft. 

11  On  the  2ist  of  July,  1775,  Franklin  submitted  a  plan  for  confed- 
erating the  Colonies  into  one  nation.     Each  Colony  was  to  pass  its 
own  laws  and  constitution,  while  the  powers  of  the  general  govern- 
ment were  to  include  all  questions  of  war,  peace,  alliance,  etc. — Ban- 
croft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  41 

ripe  for  separation,  though  here  we  gather,  armed  for 
this  to  strike.  Do  you  favor  independence  ? 

FRANKLIN — Yes,  yes  !  A  thousand  times,  yes  !  But 
I  stand  almost  alone.  I  have  been  in  touch  with  the 
English,  and  know  the  temper  of  those  who  rule.  I  am 
for  independence 'now,  this  very  hour.  But  I  outrun 
the  general  wish.  Old  attachments  are  hard  to  break, 
so  much  does  custom  bind  us. 

WASHINGTON — One  year  ago  our  Congress  petitioned 
the  King  for  justice.  He  scoffed  at  our  claims.  Since 
then  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill  have  testified  to  our 
love  for  freedom.  In  the  face  of  this,  and  mindful  of 
outrage  since  added  from  royal  arrogance,  the  present 
Congress  votes  another  petition  for  pacification.  This 
last,  the  King  will  not  deign  even  to  receive  into  his 
royal  hands.12 

FRANKLIN — The  people  are  patient  and  long-suffering. 
But  the  hour  of  independence  is  hurrying  on.  The  King 
helps  us  in  his  proclamation  denouncing  us  for  punish- 
ment. While  America  was  on  her  knees,  he  aimed  a 
dagger  at  her  heart.13 

WASHINGTON — I,  too,  have  dallied  with  this  allegiance 
to  the  King,  as  if  it  were  a  crime  to  question  it.  But, 
healed  from  this  sentimentality,  base  because  it  leads  to 
servility,  I  am  ready  to  cast  my  fate  and  fortunes  for 
independence.  The  ashes  of  Falmouth,  now  smolder- 
ing under  Capt.  Mowat's  murderous  guns,  even  while 
we  are  talking  here,  help  to  stifle  former  friendship.14 

12  The  petition  to  the  King  of  the  summer  of  1775  was  sent  to  him 
by  Richard  Penn  of  Philadelphia.     He  reached  London  August  14. 
The  King  would  not  see  him.     He  was  determined,  he  said,  to  force 
the  Americans  to  submission.     Lord  North  published  a  proclamation 
declaring  them  rebels  and  forbidding  all  intercourse  with  them. — 
Bancroft. 

13  When   this   proclamation   reached   America,  men   said,  "  While 
America  is  still  on  her  knees  the  King  aims  a  dagger  at  her  heart." 
The  people  now  began  to  entertain  the  idea  of  independence. — Ban- 
croft. 

14  Capt.  Mowat,  in  a  ship  of  sixteen  guns,  with  three  others,  on  tbe 
morning  of  the  i6th  of  October,  1775,  laid  Falmouth  [now  Portland] 
in  ashes.     The  indignation  of  Washington  was  kindled  at  these  savage 
cruelties. — Bancroft. 


4*  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

FRANKLIN — We  must  die  in  our  allegiance  to  the 
monarch  before  we  can  be  born  in  the  freedom  of  the 
man. 

WASHINGTON — Meanwhile  the  army  must  be  main- 
tained. You  know  its  needs  and  mine. 

FRANKLIN — In  sympathy  know  them,  and  will  provide. 
The  plan  I  spoke  of  ?  We  have  agreed,  my  associates 
and  myself,  that  to  you  we  delegate  the  power,  in  the 

name  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  to  recruit  an 
army  of  twenty- three 
thousand  men,  and  to 
equip  them  as  seems 
just  to  you.  The  New 
England  Colonies,  as 
separate  States,  will 
confirm  your  acts ;  and 
Congress  also,  with  the 
voice  of  all.14 

WASHINGTON — The  authority  is  the  best  our  condition 
knows,  and  I  cheerfully  accept. 

Enter  COL.  NATHANIEL  GREENE  and  CAPT.  HENRY 

KNOX. 

WASHINGTON — Good- evening,  gentlemen.  [To  FRANK- 
LIN.] Here  are  two  of  my  trusted  officers,  who  are 
making  the  rounds. 

FRANKLIN — We  know  each  other  well.  Our  visit 
here  in  camp  has  been  so  long,  your  rolls  should  bear 
us.  Knox  is,  I  think,  a  maker  of  books  from  yonder 
city,  whence,  like  myself,  he  is  driven  forth,  and  so  as 
a  fellow-craftsman  comes  near  to  me. 

KNOX — It  touches  my  pride  to  be  called  your  fellow- 

15  Franklin,  as  leading  adviser  from  Congress  [to  camp  of  Wash- 
ington], devised  a  scheme  for  supplying  a  new  army  of  twenty-three 
thousand  men,  whom  the  general  could  enlist  without  delay  for  the 
next  campaign.  The  arrangement  was  an  agreement  between  the 
army,  the  Continental  Congress,  and  the  New  England  colonies. — 
Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  43 

craftsman,  though  I  make  only  the  covers  of  the  book, 
while  you  make  that  which  the  covers  hold. 

FRANKLIN — And  so  we  help  each  other  in  the  same 
trade  ;  and  as  I  said,  are  fellow-craftsmen. 

WASHINGTON — And  what  report  do  you  bring  to 
me  ? 

GREENE — As  always.  There  is  suffering  everywhere, 
and  need  of  all  things. 

KNOX — The  things  most  plentiful  are  stout  hearts 
and  empty  stomachs. 

GREENE — And  the  things  absent  are  food,  clothes, 
guns,  and  ammunition. 

WASHINGTON  [to  FRANKLIN] — And  yet  the  people 
loudly  clamor  at  my  delay  to  strike  the  enemy.  Can  we 
with  naked  fists  beat  down  the  power  of  England  ?  Our 
strength,  at  this  hour,  is  the  ignorance  of  the  enemy  of 
our  weakness.16 

FRANKLIN — Ignorance  of  what  we  might  do,  has 
strewn  the  earth  with  failures  since  the  flood.  May 
these  Britons  continue  to  illustrate  my  proverb  ! 

WASHINGTON — I  dare  not  make  my  condition  known 
to  these  fireside  tacticians  and  silence  them.  With 
other  burdens  I  must  take  their  censure,  patiently. 

FRANLKIN — It  is  unjust  even  to  criminality.  But 
where  in  this  world  does  absolute  right  abide  ?  Cen- 
sure existence,  and  call  life  an  error.  You  may  do  this 
with  as  much  justice  as  have  these  simple  fools,  who, 
blindly  ignorant,  assume  to  censure  you. 

KNOX — Plenty  of  artillery  and  powder  would  con- 
vert me  to  a  belief  that  all  things  were  right  and  just. 
A  fair  show,  and  I  could  go  home  again.  Yes,  to  that 
home  I  see  yonder  in  my  daily  rounds.  Ticonderoga 

16  The  country  expected  tidings  of  the  expulsion  of  the  British 
from  Boston,  when  the  want  of  gunpowder  compelled  inactivity. 
The  General  [Washington]  might  have  shielded  his  good  name  by 
letting  the  truth  be  known,  but  the  public  cause  would  suffer  ;  and 
braving  the  shafts  of  censure,  he  submitted  in  silence  to  the  reproach 
of  inactivity,  at  which  his  soul  revolted. — Bancroft. 


44  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

has  given  us  here  some  heavy  guns.     But  what  are  guns 
without  powder? 

WASHINGTON — The  want  of  supplies  is  our  strongest 
adversary.  For  this  need,  Ethan  Allen  failed  before 
Montreal,  and  now,  loaded  with  chains,  is  on  his  way  to 
a  British  prison." 

FRANKLIN — The  valiant  Montgomery  redeemed  all 
this,  and  Montreal  has  just  received  him.18  You  have 
other  schemes  afoot  toward  Canada  ? 

WASHINGTON — It  has  been  my  wish  to  unite  Canada 
with  ourselves.  1  have  ordered  Colonel  Benedict 
Arnold — a  braver  man  never  led  assault — to  march  by 
Eastern  journeys,  and  to  join  Montgomery  before 
Quebec.19  I  am  hopeful  and  in  turn  am  also 
anxious. 

KNOX — By  your  leave,  we  will  resume  our  journey  of 
the  camp.  [KNOX  and  GREENE  bow  and  retire. 

FRANKLIN — I  will  catch  a  lesson  in  this  good  example, 
and  so  say  good-night.  [FRANKLIN  bows  and  retires. 

WASHINGTON — What  mockery  to  say  good-night  to 
me.  Bad-night  pushes  good-night  from  its  stool  and 
sits  instead.  Good-night,  that  watches  for  the  coming 
of  the  jocund  day,  to  arouse  from  restful  sleep,  calls 
not  to  me — calls  not  to  me  ! 

\Retires  to  his  tent,  which  closes. 

11  Ethan  Allen  indulged  in  the  vision  of  surprising  Montreal  as  he 
had  done  Ticonderoga.  On  the  night  of  September  24,  1775,  he 
crossed  to  Long  Point,  though  he  had  so  few  canoes  that  but  a  third 
of  his  party  could  embark  at  once.  He  was  surprised,  and  surren- 
dered. He  was  chained  and  sent  to  England. — Bancroft. 

18 On  November  12,  1775,  uuopposed,  Montgomery  took  posses- 
sion of  Montreal. — Bancroft. 

"  In  the  hope  of  aiding  the  efforts  against  Canada,  Washington 
organized  an  expedition  to  the  lower  St.  Lawrence.  For  its  chief 
officer,  he  selected  Benedict  Arnold. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  45 

SCENE  II.  Room  in  the  royal  residence  at  Cassel.     Time  : 
January  31,  1776. 

Enter  FREDERICK  II.,  LANDGRAVE  of  Hesse  Cassel, 
and  COL.  WILLIAM  FAUCITT  of  the  British  Army,  and 
agent  of  the  British  ministry. 

LANDGRAVE — What  you  say,  colonel,  is  very  true. 
His  Majesty,  our  royal  cousin,  no  doubt  wants  troops. 
We  are  well  assured  of  that.1  Other- 
wise you  would  not  be  here  to  seek 
them  at  our  hands.  But  the  pay  for 
these  troops — the  money  and  the  reve- 
nue to  us  ?  Men  are  costly,  when  one 
has  a  surplus  to  sell,  to  him  who  wants 
to  buy. 

FAUCITT — The  question  of  money 
need  not  delay  our  treaty.  We  pay  lib- 
erally because  the  necessity  is  great.  In 
negotiations  your  minister  has  not  forgotten  the  prince 
he  serves.  It  is  understood  you  have  the  men  ;  so  we 
have  bargained  for  them. 

LANDGRAVE — Regiment  after  regiment,  idle  and 
voracious.  Troops  have  no  right  to  impoverish  their 
prince  with  fearful  appetites,  when  they  can  earn  for  him 
a  few  marks  by  service  abroad. 

FAUCITT — Soldiers  are  sometimes  biased  and  will 
serve  willingly  only  their  own  country  and  its  king. 

LANDGRAVE — Cheap  sentimentality  !  I  assure  you 
that  such  a  rule  for  our  military  would  shake  the  thrones 
of  half  the  princes  of  Europe.  The  true  soldier  asks 
for  no  more  than  orders.  What  is  it  to  him  whether  he 
serves  in  the  East  or  in  the  West  ?  His  life  belongs  to 
the  state,  and  the  ruling  prince  is  the  state.  I  need 
money,  and  my  army  can  earn  it  for  me.  I  sell  it  to 

1  Faucitt  hurried  to  Cassel.  where  his  coming  was  expected  by  one 
[the  Landgrave  Frederick  II.]  who  well  knew  the  strait  to  which  the 
English  ministry  was  reduced.  To  this  man  Faucitt  delivered  a 
letter  from  the  British  king.  Negotiations  were  had  with  Gen. 
Schlieffen,  the  minister  of  the  Landgrave. — Bancroft. 


46  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

you.  How  simple  !  Will  you  pay  the  price  ?  Yes. 
Very  well  ;  my  soldiers  will  go  where  you  order,  serve 
as  you  will,  and  kill  your  enemy  as  they  would  kill 
mine. 

FAUCITT — Your  Serene  Highness  is  informed  of  the 
price  we  offer  to  each  soldier  ? 

LANDGRAVE — I  have  pondered  it  well  and  with  ap- 
proval. Our  royal  cousin  of  England — by  marriage  and 
by  blood  closely  knit  into  our  heart — will  now  strengthen 
these  ties  with  a  royal  revenue,  so  needful  to  our 
exhausted  treasury.  This  kindness  of  our  kinsman 
touches  us  deeply  ;  and  may  good  report  thereof  reach 
him  by  his  embassador  !  [FAUCITT  bows  humbly. 

FAUCITT — England  will  pay  your  men  four  pounds 
each  and  grant  one  hundred  acres  of  land  as  bounty. 
This  to  every  man  and  non-commissioned  officer.* 

LANDGRAVE — The  men  ?  I  have  told  you  already 
this  price  gives  content.  But  I  am  not  so  much  inter-* 
ested  in  the  men  as  in  the  state.  What  income  is  fixed 
upon  for  me  ?  When  I  sell  my  ox,  to  supply  the  prov- 
ender for  him  is,  of  necessity,  by  the  purchaser  assumed, 
to  keep  him  living  for  his  work.  The  duty  was  mine, 
is  yours,  and  to-morrow  may  be  another's.  But  the 
value  of  that  beast  comes  to  me  as  owner,  and  hence 
interests  me  most.  It  affects  my  life  by  adding  to  its 
pleasures.  What  subsidy  does  your  King  propose  for 
me  ? 

FAUCITT — His  Majesty  of  England  requests  from 
Hesse  Cassel  a  force  of  twelve  thousand  five  hundred 
men.*  They  shall  swear  allegiance  to  him  and  serve  as 
if  his  subjects.4  For  this,  so  long  as  the  compact  runs, 
you  shall  receive  each  year  a  subsidy  of  four  hundred 
thousand  pounds  in  sterling  money.  This  subsidy  shall 

1  The  British  army  was  recruited  in  Germany  by  the  help  of  liberal 
promises.  Four  pounds  and  one  hundred  acres  of  land  were  guaran- 
teed to  every  private  and  non-commissioned  officer. —  Von  Eelking. 

*  Hesse  Cassel  agreed  to  supply  twelve  thousand  five  hundred 
men. —  Von  Eelking. 

4  They  were  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  service  to  the  King 
of  England. —  Von  Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


47 


continue  for  two  years  after  your  troops  come  home,  the 
work  for  us  being  done.5 

LANDGRAVE — Four  hundred  thousand  pounds  a  year. 
Let  me  see.  How  much  is  that  in  marks?  I  have  a 
better  head  for  marks.  Have  you  paper,  that  you  can 
give  me  this  in  marks  ? 

FAUCITT — Twenty  marks,  German,  make  an  English 
pound.  Hence  the  subsidy  to  you  is,  annually,  eight 
millions  of  marks. 

LANDGRAVE — Eight  millions.  I  like  that ;  a  good 
round  sum.  I  never  believed  before  that  subjects  could 
be  turned  to  so  much  profit.  But  about  France  ?  When 
my  men  are  away,  France  may  trouble  us.  That  nation 
loves  us  not,  remembering  the  last  war. 

FAUCITT — This  has  not  been  forgotten.  A  treaty  of 
alliance  and  protection  has  been  arranged  with  your 
minister  ;  and  England's  arm  will  be  raised  to  strike 
him  who  would  smite  you  because  of  our  compact. 

Enter  BARON  VON  SCHLIEFFEN,  minister  of  tJie  LAND- 
GRAVE. 

FAUCITT — Here  comes  the  baron  ;  and  in  good  time 
to  sanction  all,  so  far  as  his 
authority     may    serve,    as 
minister    of    your     Serene 
Highness. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN  [to 
LANDGRAVE] — I  received 
orders  to  attend  you  only 
now.  Pardon  me,  if  I  were 
needed  sooner. 

LANDGRAVE  —  All  in 
good  time,  dear  baron.  The 
contract  proposed  between 
Great  Britain  and  ourselves  has  been  here  outlined  by 

1  About  the  amount  paid  Hesse  Cassel  as  subsidies  for  eight  years, 
was  three  millions  sterling,  with  additions,  making  it  about  four 
hundred  thousand  sterling  yearly. —  Von  Eelking. 


48  WASHINGTON,    OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

her  embassador.     I  am   pleased   with   it,  and   so  thank 
you  for  care  to  our  interests. 

\The  BARON  bows  to  the  LANDGRAVE. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — These  troops  will  serve,  as  en- 
gaged, in  America  ?  A  long  journey,  and  a  strange  and 
feverish  land  to  Europeans  ? 

LANDGRAVE — Be  the  journey  four  times  as  long,  and 
the  land  spread  over  to  the  ear-tips  with  mortal  fevers, 
what  is  that  to  me?  It  is  the  duty  of  my  troops  to  do 
as  their  prince  commands;  and  if  danger  opposes,  that 
is  the  tonic  of  brave  men. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — The  cause  is  honorable  ?  To  re- 
press disorder  ? 

LANDGRAVE — It  is  more  than  honorable.  It  will  be 
famous  as  well  as  honorable.  There  are  laurels  to  be 
gained  for  our  brave  men  in  grappling  with  restless  sub- 
jects who  dare  to  rise  against  their  King.  The  cause  of 
England  is  the  cause  of  all.  We  royal  and  reigning 
families  cannot  draw  too  near  together,  and,  with  one 
common  blow,  rid  the  earth  of  this  ribaldry  of  freedom. 
The  aunt  of  England's  sovereign  shares  my  crown  as 
consort.  This  warmth  is  natural.* 

FAUCITT — Your  wife,  her  Serene  Highness,  will  surely 
strengthen  our  alliance  with  her  prayers  ? 

LANDGRAVE — I  can't  say  as  to  that.  She  does  not  live 
with  me,  you  know.  No  ;  my  cheerful  way  of  life 
offends  her  austerity.  Too  much  morality  is  dangerous 
to  connubial  ties.  I  have  striven  to  avoid  this  danger  in 
myself.  But  what  care  I  ?  Eight  millions  of  marks  a 
year  !  Happy  is  the  prince  who  can  turn  his  subjects 
into  so  much  ready  cash. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — It  pays  to  raise  men,  if  only  to 
export  them. 

LANDGRAVE — The  very  best  of  merchandise. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — Yes,  your  Serene  Highness. 

*  Frederick  II.  Landgrave  of  Hesse  Cassel,  was  a  brute.  The 
wife  of  his  youth,  a  daughter  of  George  II.,  the  gentlest  of  her  race, 
was  forced  to  fly  from  his  inhumanity  to  others  for  protection. — Ban- 
croft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  49 

LANDGRAVE — No  breakage  ;  no  packing  troubles. 
You  face  your  goods  correctly,  and  they  walk  away. 

[Laughs  heartily. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — Yes,  your  Serene  Highness. 

LANDGRAVE — Remember,  Schlieffen — full  cellars  this 
season,  and  the  best  vintage — the  very  best. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — Yes,  your  Serene  Highness. 

LANDGRAVE — And  beauty — all  Europe  shall  be  under 
contribution.  The  opera — we  will  live  in  song. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — Yes,  your  Serene  Highness. 

LANDGRAVE — And  the  dance  ;    the  whirling  dance. 
There  is  a  new  step   in   Paris.     Yes,  we  must  have  it 
here.     Remember,    we  must  have   it 
here.      Eight    millions    of     marks   a 
year  ! 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — Yes,  your  Se- 
rene Highness. 

LANDGRAVE — We  will  make  a  par- 
adise of  Cassel.  A  paradise.  Noth- 
ing so  becomes  a  prince  as  flowing 
wine  and  captivating 

FAUCITT — You  halt,  your  Serene  Highness. 

LANDGRAVE — And  a  captivating  ballet.  I  live  and 
thrill  in  the  raptures  of  the  dance.7 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — Next  year  your  troops  will  be 
fighting  in  America  for  England's  King. 

LANDGRAVE — And  while  my  troops  are  fighting  there 
we  will  be  dancing  here.  This  American  rebellion  ! 
What  luck  !  What  great  luck  it  brings  !  Eight  mil- 
lions of  marks  a  year  ! 

FAUCITT — And  further  increase  if  more  men  are  re- 
quired. 

LANDGRAVE — Welcome  the  necessity  !  We  will  meet 
it  to  our  last  man.  Grandest  opportunity  for  princely 

7  He  [Frederick  II.]  sought  to  introduce  into  Cassel  French  modes 
of  life  ;  had  his  opera,  ballet-dancers,  his  French  play-house,  etc., 
etc. — Bancroft. 


50  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

liberality  in  aid  of  a  royal  brother.  May  it  never  cease ! 
But  tell  me,  Faucitt,  what  have  my  royal  neighbors  done  ? 

FAUCITT — The  Duke  of  Brunswick  comes  to  Eng- 
land's aid  with  five  thousand  men. 

LANDGRAVE — And  Ferdinand,  his  son  ?  Why,  he 
should  seek  the  conflict  in  person,  since  he  is  brother-in- 
law  of  his  Britannic  Majesty.  [Laughs  heartily.]  But 
his  wife  has  left  him,  too.8  [Laughs  heartily.']  It  is 
such  a  joke  !  He  and  I  are  twins  in  the  same  sorrow. 
But  we  bear  it ;  yes,  we  bear  it.  How  strange  it  is 
women  will  act  so  !  And  besides  Brunswick  ? 

FAUCITT — The  Prince  of  Waldeck  graciously  adds  a 
single  regiment. 

LANDGRAVE — And  the  Hereditary  Prince,  ray  gay  and 
wayward  son  of  Hanau  ? 

FAUCITT — In  emulation  of  his  noble  father,  his  Serene 
Highness  will  send  one  thousand  men  and  take  his  subsidy. 

LANDGRAVE — I  am  cheered  at  this,  for  he,  too,  needs 
money.  Is  greater  compensation  than  I  receive  paid  to 
any  ? 

FAUCITT — You  stand  in  vantage  of  them  all  in  profit 
gained. 

LANDGRAVE — It  would  distress  me,  distress  me  much, 
to  cheapen  the  market  value.  Schlieffen,  have  means 
been  taken  to  secure  the  men,  since  we  have  sold  them 
and  the  price  determined  ? 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — The  intentions  of  your  Serene 
Highness  noised  abroad,  our  people  fly  in  all  directions. 
The  workshop  is  deserted  and  the  home  vacated.  Once 
across  our  borders  they  feel  secure  from  impressment 
for  this  alien  war.* 

8  Ferdinand  [son  of  Duke  of  Brunswick]  married  Augusta,  the  sis- 
ter of  George  III.,  who  afterwards  abandoned  him.     He  was  indif- 
ferent to  his  English  wife  and  abandoned  to  sensual  pleasures. — 
Bancroft. 

9  To  escape  impressment  his  [Frederick's]  subjects  fled  to  Han- 
over.    King  George  of  Hanover  was  called  upon  to  discourage  the 
elopement  of  Hessian  subjects  into  his  country,  when  the  demand  for 
men  was  so  great,  to  enable  the  Landgrave  to  fulfill  his  engagement 
with  Great  Britain. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  51 

LANDGRAVE — Our  neighbors  shall  return  them  wher- 
ever found.  Unmannered  creatures !  Is  this  their 
loyalty  to  their  reigning  prince  ?  We  must  not  be  em- 
barrassed in  getting  men,  for  that  would  endanger  the 
revenues  which  this  compact  brings.  What  shall  we  do  ? 
Schlieffen,  this  is  for  you  to  answer.  For  this  you  are 
our  minister.  It  worries  us  to  solve  such  dilemmas. 

VON  SCHLIEFFEN — If  your  Serene  Highness  will  ap- 
prove, it  shall  loudly  be  proclaimed,  so  that  every  ear 
shall  hear  it — and,  hearing,  shall  believe — that  in  America, 
a  land  rich  with  spoils  and  pleasures,  every  man  shall 
have  free  license  for  plunder,  and  appetite  go  unre- 
strained. So  self-interest  may  secure  to  us  what  force 
may  not.10 

LANDGRAVE — This  it  is,  Faucitt,  to  have  a  sagacious 
minister  of  state.  As  you  propose,  so  be  it  done. 

Enter  a  servant,  who  bows  to  the  LANDGRAVE. 

LANDGRAVE  [to  FAUCITT] — In  yonder  room  a  ban- 
quet is  prepared  to  soften  the  hardships  of  this  tedu 
ous  world.  Our  minister,  with  the  treaty  ready,  will 
there  invite  our  signatures.  And  then  in  wine — in 
luscious  wine — we'll  pledge  our  wishes  for  success  to 
England.  Eight  millions  of  marks  a  year,  and  all  for 
nothing.  Wine,  wine  !  now  for  the  flowing  wine  ! 

[All  retire. 

SCENE  III.    Buckingham  Palace,  London.      Time  :   Feb- 
ruary, 1776.     Royal  Council  Chamber. 

Enter  LORD  NORTH,  Prime  Minister;  LORD  BAR- 
RINGTON,  Secretary  of  War,  and  LORD  GEORGE 
GERMAIN,  Secretary  of  State  (successor  to  Dart- 
mouth}. 

NORTH — It  will  pinch  our  people,  but  they  must  pay 
the  price.  When  disaster  blows  in  your  face,  shut  your 
eyes,  till  better  things  come  round  ;  then  open  and 

10  Yet  many  went  willingly,  after  they  had  been  made  to  believe 
that  in  America  they  would  have  free  license  to  plunder  and  to  in- 
dulge their  passions. — Bancroft. 


52  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

make  repairs.  In  such  disaster  we  have  come  forth 
from  Continental  wars.1  These  foreign  levies  are  our 
repairs  of  state,  and  medicate  our  ills,  like  ointment  on 
an  open  wound.  In  titanic  strife,  we  were  engulfed 
with  mighty  nations,  and  emerged  therefrom  tired  and 
worn  and  bruised.  When  nature  sleeps  from  mere 
exhaustion,  the  prudent  surgeon  permits  time  for  rest. 
So  rests  England  now.  For  these  Colonial  troubles — 
which  nip  us  as  an  insect  in  a  summer's  night,  more 
annoying  than  dangerous — money  will  buy  us  soldiers 
from  foreign  princes,  which  the  sergeant  would  fail  to 
recruit  at  home.  My  Lords,  could  we  have  better 
done?1 

GERMAIN — With  the  force  secured,  we  will  crush 
rebellion  within  a  year.  For  so  short  a  labor  the  cost 
cannot  be  heavy.'  What  say  you,  Barrington  ? 

BARRINGTON — What  is  there  to  say  ?  When  any 
path  is  admitted  to  be  the  only  way,  then  that  way  pur- 
sue. It  was  impossible  to  fill  our  armies  on  British 
soil.4  The  fight  against  revolt  was  over,  unless  some 
friendly  hand  sustained  in  part  our  load.  England  pays 
the  price.  She  gets  the  men,  the  fight  is  made  and,  as 
we  hope,  won.  And  there  an  end  of  it.  Those  cavil 
most  who  least  can  show  a  remedy. 

Enter  KING  GEORGE  III.,  in  a  rage. 
[All  exclaim  :  "  The  King  !  "  All  bow  to  the  KING. 
KING — Will  surprises  never  cease  ?     Are  we  the  King 
of  England,  or  but  a  scullion  to  take  orders  and  advice  ! 

1  The  Seven  Years'  War,  from  1756  to  1763,  between  England, 
France,  and  Spain,  was,  at  the  same  time,  a  Continental  war,  in 
which  many  states  were  engaged.  It  was  the  effort  to  repair  the 
expenditures  for  this  war  that  led  to  the  Stamp  Act  of  1765. 

*  Lord  North  said,  in  the  Hou-<e  of  Commons,  February,  1776  : 
"  The  troops  are  wanted.  The  terms  are  less  than  we  could  have 
expected.  The  force  will  enable  us  to  drive  America  to  submission, 
perhaps  without  further  effusion  of  blood. — Bancroft. 

8  Lord  Cornwall  said,  "Our  business  [reducing  America]  will  be 
effected  within  a  year.  So  these  German  troops  are  had  on  terms 
lower  than  ever  before." — Bancroft. 

4  Lord  Barrington  said :  "  British  recruits  could  not  be  procured 
on  any  terms." — Bancroft. 


OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  53 

I'd  rather  be  of  things  inanimate,  and  take  my  cue  and 
course  as  the  rain  and  gale  should  turn  me,  than  be  a 
king  without  a  king's  supremacy.  Who  would  not,  in 
pride  of  royal  state,  shorten  his  wind,  and  with  it  life 
emotional,  sooner  than  bear  the  taunts  of  weaklings, 
whom  in  greater  merit  he  treads  upon,  yet  kills  not  ? 
From  that  great  Norman,  whose  heavy  lance  once 
shook  this  aspiring  Isle,  to  the  present  hour,  his  blood 
has  not  been  more  humiliated. 

\The  Lords  are  all  surprised  at  the  KING'S  flass  fan. 

NORTH — Your  Majesty  ? 

KING — My  Lords.  You  will  excuse  this  warmth, 
but  while  burns  the  flame  the  heat  will  radiate.  Know 
you  of  this  Catharine — this  Empress — and  of  her  cour- 
tesy to  us  ? 

NORTH — As  England's  first  minister,  of  course  I 
know  ;  and  marveled  much  when  that  knowledge  came. 

KING — We  wrote  to  her  in  person — a  sovereign  to  a 
sovereign.  Her  clerk  this  sovereign  answers,  and  as  if 
she  were  bartering  for  a  gown.0  The  stress  for  troops 
weighs  heavily  upon  us.  Under  our  necessity,  and  im- 
pelled by  unrequited  favors  from  us  hitherto  received, 
we  wrote  this  Russian  Empress,  and  asked  for  soldiers. 
After  weeks  of  waiting — our  royal  person  in  the  embas- 
sador  who  spoke  with  our  voice,  put  off  now  with  this 
and  then  with  that  excuse,  good  to  a  mendicant  for 
office  or  official  favor6 — this  queen,  or  empress,  or  what 
you  will,  to  our  royal  hands  sends  her  lackey's  letter, 
in  which  she  "  really  cannot"  ;  "  It  is  against  her  con- 
science" ;  "  It  would  bring  dishonor  upon  her  army"  ; 
"  It  wounded  dignity  for  two  great  states  to  join  to  put 
down  a  rebellion  unsupported  by  any  foreign  power." 

B  To  Catharine  [Empress  of  Russia]  King  George  wrote  for  troops, 
with  his  own  hand.  Her  answer  was  purposely  by  the  hand  of  her 
private  secretary.  The  King  said  the  Empress  was  not  "  genteel," 
and  had  not  the  civility  to  answer  him  in  her  own  hand,  and  had 
thrown  out  expressions  not  civil  to  civilized  ears. — Bancroft. 

6  Gunning,  the  English  agent,  asked  for  twenty  thousand  men, 
and  was  made  to  wait  long  at  the  Russian  court  before  any  definite 
reply  was  given,  and  put  off  with  various  excuses. — Bancroft. 


$4  WASHINGTON,    OR    TffP.   REVOLUTION. 

And  then  advises — mark  the  climax — advises — just 
Heaven  !  shall  the  proud  Saxon  bear  this  from  the 
Slav — that  "  we  make  peace  with  our  offended  subjects." T 
Did  discourtesy  ever  further  go  ? 

HARRINGTON — Your  Majesty,  deign  to  pardon  me. 
This  royal  state  is  kept  far  toward  the  East,  where 
civilized  conduct  is  seldom  taken  as  example.  From 
Great  Peter  down,  Russia  has  not  posed  for  her  polite- 
ness. The  bear  is  never  nice,  where  he  may  set  his  foot, 
so  he  gets  forward. 

KING — A  diplomatic  view,  my  lord,  and  philosophical. 
But  her  honor — the  honor  of  Catharine,  Empress  of  All 
the  Russias  !  She  looks  to  it  none  too  soon — for  safely 
keeping  it.  And  her  conscience,  too  !  How  we  quicken 
conscience  when  it  runs  with  our  desires,  and  strangle  it 
opposing  !  But  no  more  of  that.  Holland — but  with 
better  grace — follows  Russia  in  refusal.  Is  this  so, 
Barrington  ? 

BARRINGTON — Holland,  your  Majesty,  will  furnish 
troops,  but  only  for  Continental  service.  This  is  a 
refusal  in  disguise.8 

KING — Then  so  much  the  greater,  upon  the  records 
of  our  gratitude,  is  the  debt  we  owe  these  German  kins- 
men.  They  have  done  well.  What  is  the  aggregate  of 
their  supply  ? 

BARRINGTON — Hesse  Cassel,  Brunswick,  and  the  rest, 
together  give  an  army  of  about  twenty  thousand  men. 
And  more,  if  needed. 

KING — A  good  round  number.     What  say  you,  North  ? 

1  The  Empress  said  to  Gunning  :  "  Has  any  progress  been  made 
toward  settling  your  dispute  with  America  ?  For  God's  sake,  put 
an  end  to  it  as  soon  as  possible.  There  is  an  impropriety  in  employ- 
ing my  troops  under  a  power  unknown  to  them.  Moreover,  it  reflects 
upon  our  dignity  for  this  juncture  of  forces  of  two  monarchies  and 
two  nations,  simply  to  calm  a  rebellion  not  supported  by  any  foreign 
power,"  and  she  proffered  the  advice  that  England  make  peace  with 
her  offended  subjects. — Bancroft. 

8  The  Netherlands  declined  the  request  of  the  King  of  England 
for  troops,  but  disguised  the  refusal  under  form  of  a  consent  to  lend 
a  brigade,  on  condition  that  it  should  not  be  used  out  of  Europe. 
— Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  55 

Will  the  work  now  begin,  blows  and  subjugation  ?  We 
are  tired  of  these  petitions  from  the  hands  of  treason.* 

NORTH — Your  Majesty,  the  only  petition  that  your 
minister  receives  hereafter  from  these  men  will  be  while 
they  are  prostrate  at  his  feet,  and  with  halters  around 
their  necks.10 

GERMAIN — And  with  the  force  now  at  the  disposal  of 
the  King  and  Parliament,  this  petition  must  soon  be 
handed  in.  In  the  hour  of  subjugation,  I  trust  duty 
will  hold  the  scales  of  justice  so  far  above  the  reach  of 
mercy,  that  the  principal  actors  in  this  foul  revolt  shall 
feel  the  halter.  Samuel  Adams  and  Hancock  of  Boston 
have  forfeited  their  lives  to  the  state."  Indulgence  to 
these  should  be  a  stranger. 

KING — We  will  not  punish  or  discuss  a  pardon  before 
capture  and  conviction,  lest  the  court  may  forestall  the 
constable.  Barrington,  have  plans  been  formulated  for 
the  campaign  ?  I  should  be  glad  to  know  what  my 
ministers  propose. 

BARRINGTON — Gen.  Howe  is  now  in  Boston  with 
about  ten  thousand  men.  He  is  there  besieged  since 
Bunker  Hill,  and  in  command  since  the  recall  of  Gage. 
The  army  of  the  rebels,  a  larger  force,  hem  him  in,  and 
for  many  months  have  held  him  to  inaction.1*  The 
time  has  not  been  lost.  During  this  England  purchased 
her  foreign  levies,  and  in  the  spring  campaign,  now 
coming  near,  expects  to  crush  audacity. 

GERMAIN — The  battles  past  were  needful  to  certify 
the  intention  of  the  revolt.  It  becomes  us  now  to  act 
with  such  power  as  to  certify,  in  turn,  that  England 
scourges  even  unto  death  revolting  subjects.  To-day, 
well  armed,  the  state  moves  swiftly  on  to  restored 
supremacy. 

'The  King  said,  "  Blows  must  decide." — Bancroft. 

10  This  language  was  actually  used  by  the  Prime  Minister. 

11  Gage,   in    his   proclamation   of  amnesty  before  recall,  excepted 
from  pardon  Hancock  and  Sam.  Adams. 

12  Washington  having  besieged   Howe  in  Boston  since  July,  1775, 
resolved  to  force  him  to  evacuate  the  place.     This  he  did,  and  Gen. 
Howe,  with  his  army,  left  Boston  March  17,  1776. 


5 6  WASHINGTON,    OR   THE  REVOLUTION, 

KING — Who  commands  the  army  in  opposition  ? 

NORTH — His  name — his  name — indeed,  it  escapes  me 
now. 

BARRINGTON — His  name,  your  Majesty,  is  Washing- 
ton. I  think,  George  Washington. 

KING — Is  he  experienced  in  arms? 

BARRINGTON — I  have  made  inquiry,  and  learn  that  he 
is  brave  and  capable.  He  served  your  grandsire  of 
glorious  memory,  and  was  aid  to  Braddock  when  he  fell. 
But  skill  and  courage  may  not  avail  him.  His  army  is  a 
mob  without  discipline,  and,  as  believed,  without  means 
to  live.  Hunger  may  drive  them  home  before  we  reach 
them.  Such  an  army  must  dissolve  before  veterans, 
well  armed  and  fed. 

KING — Again.  How  stand  your  intentions  for  the 
approaching  spring?1' 

NORTH — As  Secretary  of  War,  Barrington  will  inform 
your  Majesty. 

BARRINGTON — Of  our  generals,  Carleton  commands  in 
Canada,  Howe  in  the  Middle  Colonies,  and  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  in  the  South.  To  Carleton,  Gen.  Burgoyne  will 
sail  with  ten  thousand  troops,  including  the  men  of 
Brunswick.  Sir  Peter  Parker  and  Cornwallis,  with  about 
the  same  number,  depart  from  Cork  to  join  Clinton  in 
the  Carolinas  ;  and  to  Howe,  an  army  of  twenty  thousand 
will  be  added,  sailing  under  his  brother  the  admiral,  to 
concentrate  against  New  York,  if  the  general  so  ad- 
vises. About  seventeen  thousand  of  the  troops  of  Hesse 
Cassel  and  of  our  other  German  friends  are  here  in- 
cluded. In  these  expeditions  go  many  hundred  ships  of 
war,  covering  the  vast  seas  with  cannon." 

KING — A  prodigious  host.  Enough  to  create  a 
famine, — where  farmers  go  to  war  and  fields  to  waste, — 

13  This  referred  to  the  spring  of  1776. 

14  This  was  the  disposition  (originating  with  the  King  himself)  of 
the  German  mercenaries  and  of  the  English  recruits,  added  thereto, 
as  authenticated  by  all  the  histories.     The   force   against  Carolina 
sailed  from  Cork  about  the  end  of  February,  1776,  but  did  not  reach 
Clinton,  at  Cape  Fear,  till  May. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


57 


and  so  starve  them  into  submission.  These  three  grand 
divisions,  after  foothold  on  the  land,  will  join  each  other 
from  end  to  end,  from  North  to  South,  and  so  divide, 
overrun,  and  crush  the  traitors  !  Is  that  the  plan  ? 

NORTH— Such  is  the  expectation  and  the  hope,  your 
Majesty. 

KING — Other  aids  must  not  be  forgotten.  The  army 
gathered  should  be  sufficient  to  stamp  out  these  ragged 


mobs  before  next  autumn  s  suns  grow  cold  ;  and  it  come 
sailing  home  again  to  join  next  winter's  revelries.  Yet, 
let  us  fail  not  to  use  any  weapon  lying  in  our  path, 
though  it  seems  to-day  superfluous.  The  savage  and 
the  tomahawk,15  the  servile  laborer  of  the  South,  and  the 

15  All  through  the  war  the  King  urged  the  employment  of  the 
Indians.  "  Lose  no  time,"  he  urged,  "to  induce  them  to  take  up 
the  hatchet  against  his  Majesty's  rebellious  subjects  in  America." — 
Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


resident  still  loyal  to  the  crown — of  whom  there  must  be 
many  thousands — may  carry  consternation  and  death 
outside  of  the  track  of  armies !  Is  all  this  well  con- 
sidered ? 

GERMAIN — Your  secretaries  have  neglected  nothing, 
your  Majesty.     Heretofore,  advised  of  your  far-reaching 

scrutiny  and  care — well 
approved  by  Parliament 
— the  ministry  and  the 
sovereign  have  been  one 
in  purpose  and  in  thought. 
Our  agents  have  tapped 
at  every  wigwam  in  Amer- 
ica, the  slaves  have  been 
fired  for  revenge,  and 
among  the  people  those 
still  friendly  have  been 
upheld  with  promises. 

KING — Then  England 
has  no  more  to  do  at 
home.  Here  we  set  our 
royal  standard  and  await 
the  end  !  So  shine  the  sun  upon  it,  flaunting  in  the 
East,  that  its  reflected  glories  glance  back  to  us  from 
our  victorious  banners  in  the  West !  \All  retire. 


SCENE  IV,  Plaza  in  front  of  Independence  Hall,  Phil- 
adelphia. Time:  Thursday ',  July  4,  1776.  Early 
evening. 

Enter  SAMUEL  ADAMS,  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN,  JOHN 
ADAMS,  EDWARD  RUTLEDGE,  JOHN  DICKINSON,  and 
JOHN  WITHERSPOON,  all  delegates  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  on  the  way  to  the  evening  session. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — This  balmy  evening  air  invites  a 
rest  beneath  these  stately  trees  before  the  closing  labors 
within  yonder  hall.  How  refreshing  is  this  southern 
breeze,  following  a  glaring  day  ! 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          59 

RUTLEDGE — And  with  it  bearing  such  weighty  news  ; 
it  is  tempered  as  we  would.1 

FRANKLIN — On  Friday  last  was  that  done  in  Charles- 
ton Harbor  which  illuminates  a  history.  Citizens  melt- 
ing  the  weights  of  windows  to  furnish  bullets.4  Can 
people  so  determined  be  subdued  ?  It  was  a  grand  vic- 
tory. Fifty  ships  of  the  line  beaten  off  and  defeated  by 
less  than  five  hundred  men.  Sergeant  Jasper,  like  a 
second  Curtius,  from  the  ramparts  of  Moultrie — it  is 
thus  I  name  the  fort — leaped  into  the  fiery  gulf  and 
brought  back  the  flag.  A  deed  for  song,  when  brave 
deeds  are  sung.3 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — More  than  this.  The  Cherokees, 
prompted  to  attack  the  people  from  the  rear  at  the 
moment  of  assault  in  front,  for  a  while  gave  rein  to  their 
murderous  instincts  and  many  fell  beneath  the  toma- 
hawk. Accursed  inhumanity  !  In  the  end  the  savage 
was  driven  off,  his  wigwams  burned,  and  a  chief  gave 
up  a  life  for  every  settler  slain.  For  a  time  has  been 
checked  this  danger.  So  rumor  decks  herself  this  day. 
A  double  victory — the  British  and  the  Indians  conquered.4 

DICKINSON — All  this  is  well  authenticated  ? 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — No  doubt  whatever.  Posts  have 
just  come  in. 

FRANKLIN — The  year  so  far  brings  profit  to  our 
cause.  There  have  been  losses,  but  also  gains.  Canada 
weighs  heavily  at  my  heart.  Montgomery's  death,  just 

1  This  was  news  of  the  battle  of  Fort  Moultrie,  fought  June  28, 
1776,  and  the  repulse  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet. 

2  It   is   said  that  the  citizens  of   Charleston   melted   the   window 
weights  for  bullets  in  this  battle. — Frost. 

*  William  Jasper,  a  sergeant,  saw  that  the   flag,  the  staff  cut  by  a 
cannon  ball,  had  fallen   over  the  ramparts.     He  leaped  through  an 
embrasure,  and  braving   the   thickest  fire  from   the  ships,  snatched 
up  the  flag  and  planted  it  again  upon  the  fort. — Bancroft. 

*  When  Sir  Peter  Parker  appeared  in  Charleston  Harbor,  the  Cher- 
okee Indians  invaded  the  western  frontier,  marking  their  course  with 
murder  and  devasta  ion      When   the  fleet  was  dispersed,   they  were 
attacked,  their  chiefs   killed,  and    their   villages    burned.      Thus,  at 
this  time,  the  Americans  triumphed  over  both  the  British  and  the 
Indians. — Frost. 


60  WASHINGTON,    OR    7WE  REVOLUTION. 

as  the  new  year  was  breaking  upon  the  world,  added 
sorrow  to  hearts  already  sore  with  trials." 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — The  disasters  in  Canada  lie  at  the 
doors  of  Congress.  What  madness  tempted  us,  as  if 
skilled  in  arms,  to  command  our  commander  ?  It  was 
assumption  for  which  the  country  has  dearly  paid, 
though  the  debt  was  by  us  created.  Five  thousand  men, 
by  Washington  much  needed,  line  with  so  many  graves 
the  Canadian  waters,  and  with  nothing  to  our  advan- 
tage. Congress  ordered  this,  and  Washington  obeyed. 
To  him  the  honor  of  obedience,  to  us  the  shame  of  the 
command." 

DICKINSON — Washington  approved  of  the  assault 
upon  Quebec  ? 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — So  he  did,  within  the  limits  of  pru- 
dence ;  and  dispatched  Col.  Benedict  Arnold  by  way 
of  the  Kennebec  to  join  Montgomery.  There  it  should 
have  been  left.  But  Congress  followed  with  its  own 
levies  of  thousands  for  this  northern  sally,  and  a  kitchen 
campaign  by  kitchen  generals  has  brought  home  disas- 
ter ;  so  it  always  will. 

JOHN  ADAMS — I  beg  you  cease,  good  cousin.  For  I 
plead  guilty  as  a  kitchen  general. 

SAMUEL   ADAMS — No  matter  now.     So  were  we  all, 

5  Gen.  Montgomery,  in  conjunction  with  Benedict  Arnold,  as- 
saulted Quebec,  and  fell  in  the  attack,  December  31,  1775. — 
Bancroft. 

•  Congress  being  of  the  opinion  the  security  of  Canada  was  a  great 
concern,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1776,  directed  Washington  to  send  four 
battalions  into  Canada.  On  the  23d  of  April,  without  consulting  Wash- 
ington, Congress  ordered  him  to  send  six  more  battalions  to  Can- 
ada. He  resigned  himself  to  the  ill-considered  votes  of  Congress  and 
obeyed,  and  sent  off  more  than  three  thousand  men  at  the  time  when 
the  British  were  concentrating  thirty  thousand  veteran  troops  against 
New  York  City.  But  having  thus  stripped  Washington  of  about 
half  his  force,  Congress  next  ordered  that  provisions  and  powder,  of 
which  his  stock  was  low,  and  clothing  for  ten  thousand  men,  should 
follow.  The  enemy  and  the  smallpox  decimated  this  command  in 
Canada,  so  that  about  four  thousand  only  remained.  In  July,  1776, 
a  little  more  than  two  months,  fragments  of  this  defeated  army 
began  to  return,  with  a  loss  of  more  than  five  thousand  men. — 
Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


61 


here  in  Philadelphia.  A  zealous  hand,  though  gripping 
hard  in  honesty,  guided  by  ignorance,  may  do  a  heinous 
deed.  Let  us  remember  this. 

FRANKLIN — With  other  gains  we  count  the  departure 
of  Gen.  Howe  from  Boston  in  March.  To  compel 
this  was  a  master-stroke  of  a  Caesar  and  a  Fabius. 
To  know  when  to  assail  and  when  to  refuse  a  battle, 
unite  the  merits  of  these  Roman  heroes.  Howe,  with 
his  army,  was  glad  safely  to  creep  away  from  the  state 
he  was  sent  to  ruin. 

JOHN  ADAMS — I  wonder  much  if  he  took  with  him 
the  proclamation  of  Gen.  Gage  giving  the  pardon  of 
the  King  to  all  but  Han- 
cock and  my  good  cousin 
here.  They  were  reserved 
for  the  halter.  It  must  be 
because  they  deserved  it. 
[All  laugh.]  The  King  can 
do  no  wrong.  So,  according 
to  this  good  old  saw,  he  was 
right  in  selecting  Samuel  for 
the  rope.  As  for  Hancock, 
we  should  once  more  petition 
the  King  to  spare  him  till 
the  present  Congress  ends. 
Degenerate  servants  of 
the  people,  we  select  to 
preside  over  us  a  man  whom  the  King  calls  a  felon. 

FRANKLIN — The  strife  is  yet  young.  We  shall  often 
commit  like  offense  before  it's  ended. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — This  night  we  crown  the  grandest 
event  of  mortals,  with  a  declaration  to  the  world  of  the 
facts  impelling  us  to  independence.  The  document  is 
drawn  by  a  master's  hand.  -  In  this  Jefferson  becomes 
immortal.  Four  days  of  discussion  secures  the  resolu- 
tion of  Lee  that  these  United  Colonies  are  free  and 
independent.  Now  for  the  declaration  which  awaits 
our  signatures.  How  stands  the  record  ?  On  Monday 
last  the  first  vote.  And  time,  heavy  with  regret,  must 
forever  witness  that  the  voices  of  South  Carolina  and 


62  WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

Pennsylvania  were  against  it  on  that  day.  The  matter 
being  worthy  of  fuller  consideration,  on  Tuesday  South 
Carolina  redeemed  her  name  and  changed  for  Inde- 
pendence. Pennsylvania,  too,  with  Dickinson  and 
Morris  absent,  gladly  seized  this  chance  to  side  with  the 
majority.  Do  I  report  correctly  ? ' 

WITHERSPOON — The  minutes  certify  how  exact  are 
your  recitals. 

JOHN  ADAMS — And  so  all  the  Colonies,  as  they  ought, 
united  upon  this  measure,  as  if  one  thought  controlled. 
The  discussion  yesterday  and  to-day  over  the  form  of 
the  great  deed  of  right,  upon  which  our  title  rests  as 
freemen,  closes  to-night,  and  makes  this  day — mark  my 
words — in  importance  to  mankind  second  only  to  that 
which  was  hallowed  by  divinity.  We  are  unanimous  in 
what  we  do,  and  the  voice  of  all  cannot  be  wrong.8 

DICKINSON — May  your  enthusiasm  never  lose  its  heat. 
Alas  !  I  fear  it  will.* 

JOHN  ADAMS — Hot  or  cold,  I  stand  for  what  Con- 
gress has  decreed.  Sink  or  swim,  live  or  die,  survive  or 
perish,  I  am  for  independence !  You  amaze  me,  Dick- 
inson, in  still  holding  out. 

DICKINSON — I  fear,  and  hence  hesitate.  All  is  so 
dark.  This  declaration  may  expose  us  to  graver  dan- 
gers. Shall  we  take  a  step  we  may  not  maintain,  and 
recede  with  infamy  or  persist  to  our  destruction  ?  10 

T  This  statement  of  the  debate  and  vote  on  the  declaration  is 
according  to  Bancroft. 

8  John  Adams  made  the  celebrated  prediction  that  the  Fourth  of 
July  would  be  made  memorable  by  the  ringing  of  bells  and  tokens 
of  general  rejoicing. — Frost. 

The  lives  and  liberties  of  millions  yet  unborn  were  interested  in 
independence,  said  John  Adams. — Bancroft. 

1  Among  the  sincere  and  honorable  opponents  of  independence 
was  John  Dickinson  of  Pennsylvania.  (He  never  voted  for  it.)— 
Frost. 

10  Dickinson  said  :  "  The  declaration  may  expose  us  to  greater 
outrages.  We  ought  not  to  commit  our  country  upon  an  alternative, 
where  to  recede  would  be  infamy  and  to  persist,  destruction.  The 
door  of  accommodation  with  Great  Britain  should  be  left  open." — 
Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    7 VI £  REVOLUTION.          63 

FRANKLIN — What  are  the  triumphs  of  this  world 
worth  without  risk  and  trials,  which  sweeten  victory  as 
labor  enriches  food  by  whetting  appetite  ? 

DICKINSON — The  door  of  accommodation  to  Great 
Britain  should  be  kept  open. 

FRANKLIN — Then,  when  comes  the  time  to  close  it  ? 
How  much  humiliation  must  we  bear  before,  this  super- 
stitious reverence  for  royalty  burned  away,  man  shall  be 
recognized  in  his  greater  capabilities  without  a  master  ? 
How  much  more  evil  must  this  King  do  ?  Lives  destroy 
and  towns  engulf  in  flames  ?  Twice  has  the  Congress 
of  this  people  petitioned  him,  and  twice  been  spurned 
with  insults.  It  was  in  close  touch  with  British  rulers 
that  I  learned  the  lesson  of  independence. 

DICKINSON — We  propose  to  form  a  new  government. 
This  work,  so  difficult,  ought  to  precede  what  we  do 
to-day,  not  follow  it.11 

JOHN  ADAMS — Why,  man,  you  need  a  guardian  for 
wits  that  once  upon  a  time  have  set  tongues  to  patriotic 
music.12  Can  we  on  with  the  new  government  before 
we  are  off  with  the  old  ?  To-day  we  declare  to  all  the 
world  our  independence  of  England.  To-morrow  we 
organize  a  new  government,  this  day  born.  We  are  ripe 
for  independence  as  the  first  act  in  our  drama. 

WITHERSPOON — Yes  ;  and  not  only  are  we  ripe,  but 
the  danger  is,  the  fruit  will  rot  upon  the  tree  unless  soon 
gathered.  We  stand  to-day  an  armed  mob,  without  a 
flag,  without  a  symbol  of  authority  to  command.  Wash- 
ington, as  a  New  Year's  gift,  improvised  a  banner.  But, 
representing  nothing,  any  piece  of  bunting  is  of  its 
value.13 

11  "  The  formation  of  our  government,"  said  Dickinson,  "  ought  to 
precede  the  assumption  of  our  station  among  sovereigns.     The  con- 
federation ought  to  be  settled  before  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence."— Bancroft. 

12  Referring  to  what  are  known  as  "  The  Farmer's  Letters,"  writ- 
ten by  Dickinson  in  the  early  days  of  the  controversy. 

13  "  The  country,"  said  Witherspoon  of  New  Jersey,  "  is  not  only 
ripe  for  independence,  but  is  in  danger  of  becoming  rotten  for  want 
of  it,  if  the  declaration  is  longer  delayed." — Bancroft, 


64  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — What  purpose  have  we,  without  the 
declaration  we  make  to-day  ?  A  crowd  of  simple  mal- 
contents, we  are  daily  berating  the  King  and  praying  for 
the  King.14  Do  we  believe  in  freedom,  or  do  we  still 
hug  slavery  ?  And  fawn  upon  royalty,  since  its  kicks 
and  cuffs  remind  us  where  it  is,  giving  opportunity  ? 
Fishmongers,  quarreling  in  the  street,  and  for  the  hour 
repelling  the  officers  of  the  law,  yet  waiting  to  be 
quelled,  repeat  the  position  of  these  Colonies  for  twelve 
months  past. 

RUTLEDGE — Too  much  rashness  is  ever  dangerous. 
I  would  rather  avoid  than  repent  it. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — No  man  can  be  rash  in  resisting  a 
wrong  which  would  enslave  him  ;  at  least  no  man  of 
spirit. 

RUTLEDGE — There  you  have  it.  To  be  spirited  we 
must  do  violence,  even  if  to  our  injury.15  So  I  remem- 
ber, in  foolish  youth,  with  courage  roused  to  do,  the 
venturesome  boy  pushed  forward  with  thoughtless 
taunts,  walked  here  and  there  in  many  perils  ;  all  to 
show  his  spirit,  which,  while  still  in  his  shrill,  piping 
notes  of  triumph,  was  quelled  by  his  mother's  shoe. 
Deliver  me  from  this  !  Yet  on  the  second  ballot  I  voted 
for  independence,  and  will  sign  the  declaration.  Moul- 
trie  settled  that  six  days  ago. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — I  rejoice  that  I  have  a  prompter  to 
tell  me  when  it  is  rash  to  oppose  a  tyrant.  At  this  mo- 
ment the  waters  are  covered  with  the  fleets  of  England, 
bearing  to  our  shores  hired  mercenaries  to  take  our  lives 
at  so  much  per  head.  Like  foxes  for  which  a  premium 
is  paid,  we  live  and  walk  until  these  huntsmen  come. 
Some  there  are  who  would  call  it  rash  to  resiot  this  in- 
famy, and  proper  manhood  to  accept  it.  I'd  rather  be 

14  Up  even  to  this  date,  in  religious  service,  prayers  were  offered 
for  the  King.  There  was  yet  no  allegiance  to  any  other  power.  It 
was  simply  a  mob  in  uproar. 

14  Edward  Rutledge  said  :  "  No  reason  could  be  assigned  for 
passing  this  measure  [independence]  but  the  reason  of  every  mad- 
man— a  show  of  spirit." — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          65 

an  owl,  and  hoot  my  lonely  hours  away  upon  a  blighted 
limb,  than  such  a  counterfeit ! 

RUTLEDGE — In  our  disjointed  state,  to  propose  a 
treaty  to  any  nation  now  at  peace — and  we  must  have 
treaties  since  we  cannot  live  alone — would  require  the 
impudence  found  only  in  New  England  ! " 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — Rutledge,  this  to  me  ?  [ADAMS  ad- 
vances threateningly  tou>ard  RUTLEDGE,  and  FRANKLIN 
steps  betiveen  them.]  Is  this  the  language  of  Moultrie  to 
Bunker  Hill?  Shall  a  man,  who  for  ten  years  and  more 
has  stood  within  the  shadow  of  the  halter,  in  defense  of 
human  rights  and  man's  equality,  receive  this  as  his  re- 
ward ?  Could  I  thus  speak  to  Carolina,  this  very  day  so 
proudly  plumed  over  the  tyranny  her  valor  crushed  ? 
First  let  me  drink  to  the  besotted  death^  of  every  sense, 
and  then  loss  of  memory  be  excuse  for  such  ingratitude ! 
Fie,  fie  !  Rutledge  ! 

FRANKLIN — Let  me,  as  middle-man,  stand  between 
the  heat  of  extreme  sections.  Rutledge,  believe  me, 
in  days  to  come  it  will  grieve  you 
heavily  to  carry  your  hasty  words, 
a  burden  of  discourtesy. 

RUTLEDGE — I  meant  no  wrong, 
nor  thought  it  would  be  taken  so. 
Adams,  with  all  my  heart,  I  regret 
the  rash  expression. 

[Extends  his  hand. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS — And  with  all  my 
soul  I  again  receive  you  as  my 
country's  friend  and  mine ! 

[  They  grasp  hands. 

FRANKLIN — So  may  Carolina  ever 
stand  in  link  with  Massachusetts  when  wrong  threatens 
either  ! 

JOHN  ADAMS — The  hour  has  come  for  the  final  test, 

"  Edward  Rutledge  said  :  "  That  it  required  the  impudence  of  a 
New  Englander,  for  us  in  our  disjointed  state,  to  propose  a  treaty  to 
any  nation  now  at  peace." — Bancroft. 


66  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

the  signatures.     To  it  with  courage,  for  each  may  sign 

his  death  warrant. 

[All  retire  within  Independence  Hall.  The  Plaza 
is  then  suddenly  filled  with  the  populace — men, 
women,  and  children.  Voices :  "  Indepen- 
dence forever  !  "  "  Down  with  the  King  !  " 
"  Now  for  the  declaration  !  "  "  Jefferson 
forever  !  "  "  Liberty  or  Death  !  "  The  throng 
all  the  while  move  restlessly  over  the  stage  before 
the  closed  doors.  A  voice  begins  to  sing  "  Yankee 
Doodle,"  and  all  join  in,  viz.: 

Once  on  a  time  old  Johnny  Bull  flew  in  a  raging  fury, 
And  swore  that  Jonathan  should  have  no  trials,  sir,  by  jury  ; 
That  no  elections  should  be  held  across  the  briny  waters ; 
"And  now, "said  he,  "  I'll  tax  the  tea  of  all  his  sons  and  daughters." 
Chorus — Yankee  doodle,  doodle,  do  ;  Yankee  doodle  dandy  ; 
Yankee  doodle,  keep  it  up  ;  Yankee  doodle  dandy. 

A  VOICE — I  heard  that  at  Bunker  Hill.     Give  us  an- 
other verse. 

[Another  stanza  is  sung,  all  joining  in,  and  many 
now  dancing,  viz.: 

John  sent  the  tea  from  o'er  the  sea  with  heavy  duties  rated, 
But  whether  Hyson  or  Bohea  I  never  heard  it  stated. 
Then  Jonathan  began  to  pout ;  he  laid  a  strong  embargo  ; 
"  I'll  drink  no-tea,  by  Jove  !  "  said  he  ;  then  over  went  the  cargo. 
Chorus — Yankee  doodle,  doodle  do,  etc.,  etc. 

A  VOICE — One  verse  more  and  on  with  the  dance. 

[Singing  continued. 

Then  John  sat  down  in  burly  state,  and  blustered  like  a  grandee ; 
And  in  derision  made  a  tune  called,  "  Yankee  doodle  dandy  !" 
And  Johnny  sent  a  regiment,  big  words  and  looks  to  bandy  ; 
But  we  will  send  them  home  again,  with  his  Yankee  doodle  dandy  ! " 
Chorus — Yankee  doodle,  doodle,  do,  etc.,  etc. 

[Suddenly  the  doors  of  Independence  Hall  are  thrown 
open,  and  upon  the  steps  appear  SAMUEL  ADAMS, 
holding  the  declaration  in  his  hand,  with  FRANK- 
LIN by  his  side,  RUTLEDGE,  WITHERSPOON, 
and  others. 

11  These  words  were  written  about  1836,  by  George  P.  Morris  of 
New  York. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          67 

RUTLEDGE — Peace,  good  citizens,  and  hear  the  dec- 
laration of  your  representatives.18 

SAMUEL  ADAMS  [reading] — We  hold  these  truths  to 
be  self-evident  :  That  all  men  are  created  free  and 
equal ;  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  cer- 
tain unalienable  rights  ;  that  among  these  are  life,  liberty, 
and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  We,  therefore,  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  United  States  of  America,  in  Congress 


assembled,  do  solemnly  publish  and  declare,  that  these 
Colonies  are  free  and  independent  ;  that  they  are  ab- 
solved from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown  !  And 
for  the  support  of  this  declaration  we  mutually  pledge 
to  each  other -our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our  sacred 
honor  ! 

WITHERSPOON — The  deed  is  done  !  Long  live  the 
United  States  of  America  !  [All  huzza. 

FRANKLIN  [Cannon  are  heard  in   the   distance  and  a 

18  The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  passed  and  signed  on  the 
4th  of  July,  1776  ;  was  publicly  proclaimed  to  the  people  from  the 
door  of  the  State  House  in  Philadelphia,  and  received  with  shouts, 
amid  the  ringing  of  bells  and  firing  of  cannon. — Frost. 

The  debates  [on  independence]  ran  through  the  2d,  3d.  and  4th  of 
July,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  4th  closed.  The  declaration  was 
signed  by  every  member  present,  except  Mr.  Dickinson. 

The  declaration  thus  signed  on  the  4th,  on  paper,  was  engrossed 
on  parchment  and  signed  again  on  the  2d  of  August. — Jefferson's 
Autobiographic,  in  Randolph's  Jefferson's  Correspondence. 


68  WASftlXGTOtt,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

heavy  bell  begins  to  ring] — Listen  !     The  Bell  of  Liberty  ! 

Henceforth  ring  on,  and  on,  forever. 

[Suddenly,  while  the  bell  still  tolls,  the  entire  assem- 
blage assume  an  attitude  of  devotion.  Some 
fall  on  their  knees.  Some  are  with  uplifted 
hands,  and  all  sing  : 

Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow  ; 
Praise  him,  all  creatures  here  below  ; 
Praise  him  above,  ye  heavenly  hosts  ; 
Praise  father,  son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

[At  the  close  of  the  singing,  the  bell  still  ringing  and 
cannon  booming,  the  curtain  falls. 

END   OF   ACT   II. 


ACT    III. 

SCENE  I.  Room  in  headquarters  of  GEN.  HOWE  on  Long 
Island*  Time  :  August  28,  1776,  the  day  after  the  bat- 
tle on  Long  Island. 

Enter  GEN.  HOWE,  his  brother,  ADMIRAL  HOWE,  GEN. 
LORD  CORNWALLIS,  COL.  RALL,  and  a  HESSIAN 
OFFICER. 

GEN.  HOWE — Yes,  brother,  we  will  rest  to-day.  We 
earned  it  yesterday. 

ADMIRAL  HOWE — It  is  better  to  rest  when  the  work 
is  finished,  not  when  partly  done.  The  wounded  game 
may  creep  away.1 

GEN.  HOWE — You  men  of  the  sea  fight  under  cover, 
and  all  skies  are  the  same  to  you.  We  of  the  army  feel 
it,  and  shiver  when  the  clouds  empty  their  wealth  upon 

*The  battle  of  Long  Island  was  fought  August  27,  1776,  and  the 
troops  of  the  English  were  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Sir  William 
Howe.  The  English  fleet  in  the  bay  was  under  his  brother, 
Admiral  Lord  Richard  Howe.  The  American  forces  were  badly 
beaten,  and  at  the  end  of  the  day  sought  refuge  in  their  intrench- 
ments,  having  lost  some  thousands  in  killed,  wounded,  and  prison- 
ers. When  Gen.  Howe  left  Bo.-ton  in  March,  1776,  he  sailed  to 
Halifax,  and  there  remained  until  July,  when  he  reached  Staten 
Island,  New  York,  with  a  force  of  ten  thousand  men.  Here  he  was 
joined  by  his  brother,  Admiral  Howe,  from  England,  with  re-en- 
forcements of  twenty  thousand  men.  With  this  force  of  thirty 
thousand  he  began  the  struggle  for  New  York  against  Washing- 
ton, with  about  ten  thousand,  and  many  of  these  unarmed  and  raw 
recruits.  This  scene  is  on  the  day  after  the  battle. 

1  Gen.  Howe  was  of  a  sluggish  mold,  and  succumbed  unresist- 
ingly to  his  sensual  nature.  He  was  wanting  in  alertness.  Indo- 
lence was  his  bane. — Bancroft. 

The  elder  brother  [Admiral  Howe]  was  active,  energetic,  and 
able  ;  but  his  brother  was  pleasure-loving,  forgetting  his  duty  in  dis- 
sipation. He  had  his  mistress  by  his  side,  and  his  table  was  open  to 
all. —  Von  Eel  king. 


?o  WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

us.  Did  you  ever  see  it  rain  harder  ?  The  drubbing  we 
gave  the  rebels  yesterday  will  hold  them  in  their  lines 
till  we  order  them  out  as  prisoners.  No,  we  will  not 
assault  to-day,  nor  perhaps  to-morrow,  but  pick  up  our 
trophies  when  more  convenient. 

COL.  RALL — The  game  cannot  escape  us.  We  are  in 
front  and  the  river  is  behind. 

GEN.  HOWE — And  your  guns,  brother,  sweep  the 
river.  And  so  it  is  safely  caged.  Why,  then,  should  we 
advance,  to  swim,  as  we  may  do,  in  this  water-loaded  air, 
before  we  regale  ourselves  ?  * 

ADMIRAL  HOWE — My  guns  are  not  yet  in  position  to 
prevent  retreat.  The  wind  and  tide  prevented.' 

GEN.  HOWE — Well,  all  in  good  time  you  will  have 
them  there.  Meantime  these  weeping  clouds  give  to 
him,  as  to  us,  the  same  dread  of  motion.  Col.  Rail, 
what  are  the  results  of  yesterday  ? 

COL.  RALL — At  least  three  thousand  five  hundred 
kiled,  wounded,  and  in  our  hands.  Four  generals  and 
many  officers  of  lesser  rank.  It  was  a  good  day's  work 

CORNWALLIS — Gen.  Sullivan  and  Lord  Sterling  are 
among  the  prisoners. 

GEN.  HOWE— Lord  Sterling  on  the  rebels'  side?  Do 
Lords  fight  with  them  ? 

HESSIAN  OFFICER — He  is,  from  his  title,  the  only 
gentleman  among  them.  They  are  all  a  sorry  set.4 

ADMIRAL  HOWE — But  they  fight  like  men,  overbur- 
dened by  disadvantage. 

COL.   RALL — No  doubt.     Their    guns?     Why,  they 

9  On  this  day  [the  day  after  the  battle]  the  rain  fell  heavily.  In 
some  places  in  the  lines  the  men  in  the  trenches  stood  in  water. — 
Bancroft, 

1  Howe  opened  his  cannonade  in  the  morning  [after  the  battle], 
but  because  of  the  rain  did  no  more.  He  neglected  to  put  men  of- 
war  in  the  East  River  to  cut  off  the  American  retreat. —  Von  Eelking. 

4  A  Hessian  officer  in  his  report  says:  "Among  the  so-called 
colonels  and  other  officers  were  tailors,  shoemakers,  barbers,  and 
base  mechanics.  They  are  mere  rebels.  Gen.  Putnam  is  a  butcher." 
—  Von  Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  ?i 

bear  nothing  but  their  own  private  pieces,  which  have 
served  for  robins.  We  could  fire  twice  while  they  were 
driving  home  their  charge.  It  was  ludicrous  to  see  them 
thus  confronting  veterans  of  Europe.6  [Laughs  heartily. 

HESSIAN  OFFICER — And  such  arms  as   this   mob   did 
possess  would  speed  toward  us  with  such  feeble  force 
whatever  was   sent,   that 
it  fell  midway.    [Laughs] 
Since  it  did  not  reach  us, 
we  were  ignorant  whether 
lead    was    used     or    no. 
[Still laughs.]     In  return 
for  this,  we   each   picked 
our  man  at  pleasure.6 

[GEN.     HOWE    laughs 
heartily  at  this  recital. 

GEN.  HOWE — It  really 
turns  my  heart  to  sym- 
pathy, as  when  the 
butcher  stands  with  up- 
lifted ax  to  slay  the  help- 
less steer.  But  a  soldier 
is  the  ax.  So  they  stood 
up  to  be  shot  down  ? 
Such  also  was  my  ex- 
perience wherever  I  ob- 
served the  field. 

HESSIAN  OFFICER — They  are  as  vile  in  origin  as  poor 
in  equipment.  [Laughs]  Who  do  you  suppose  these 
officers  are  whom  we  have  met  and  captured  ?  [Laughs 
heartily]  I  have  been  at  special  pains  to  know.  [All 
laugh]  Why,  tailors  !  a  general  a  tailor  !  [Laughs] 
and  shoemakers,  and — you  would  not  believe  it — base 


"Vonllerrigen  of  the  Hessians  reported:  "Their  [American] 
riflemen  took  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  load,  and  we  Germans  over- 
whelmed them  by  rapid  firing  and  drove  them  with  the  bayonet." — 
Von  Eelking. 

6  The  Hessians  who  received  the  surrender  of  Gens.  Sullivan  and 
Sterling  and  more  than  half  the  captives,  made  no  boast  of  having 
routed  ill-armed  militia. — Bancroft. 


7*  WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

mechanics.  Indeed,  this  is  true  !  My  sides  ache  with 
merriment.  [Laughing.] 7 

ADMIRAL  HOWE — These  misguided  men  are  our 
countrymen,  and  you  laugh  at  England  when  you  clothe 
with  ridicule  her  children. 

COL.  RALL — We  laugh  not  at  the  man,  but  at  the 
force  he  confronts  us  with.  We  Europeans  have  tested 
the  strength  of  discipline,  with  weapons  such  as  Mars 
himself  might  wear.  It  amuses  us  to  meet  this  mob 
without  a  uniform.  Even  the  commanders  needed  the 
dress  of  gentlemen,  fit  to  be  captured  in.8 

CORNWALLIS — New  York  is  now  at  our  mercy,  when 
we  care  to  enter. 

GEN.  HOWE — We  opened  this  day  with  artillery,  to 
let  the  stricken  know  that  we  were  awake.  That  will 
do  for  to-day.  When  the  skies  are  blue  again,  then  we 
will  finish  our  work.  Meantime  it  is  meet  that  we  in- 
dulge ourselves.  Brother,  forget  for  an  hour  your  som- 
ber side,  and  bring  the  other  into  action.  You  will  dine 
with  me,  and  so,  gentlemen,  will  you  all.  [Bows  to  all. 

[All  retire. 


SCENE  II.  Room  in  Washington's  Headquarters  >  Harlem 
Heights.      Time:  September  17,  1776. 

Enter  GEN.  PUTNAM  and  GEN.  GREENE. 

PUTNAM — By  Heavens  !  Greene,  your  illness  came 
near  being  a  fatal  illness  to  us  all.  At  last,  I  rejoice 
to  see  you  with  your  sword  again  upon  your  thigh. 

GREENE — Since  I  laid  the  plans  for  the  fight  on  Long 
Island,  it  would  have  been  more  orderly  had  I  executed 
them.  How  differently  affairs  might  run  and  end  if  we 
could  control  our  bodies  as  servants  of  our  will  ! 

PUTNAM — I  was  precipitated  into  the  command.     A 

7  See  Note  4. 

8  Hardly  one   regiment   [of    the   Americans]    was    uniformed  or 
armed.     Their  artillery  consisted  of  wretched  iron  guns,  mounted  on 
ships'  carriages. —  Von  Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          73 

general  ignorant  of  the  field,  I  blundered.  But  for  the 
skill  of  our  chief,  we  surely  had  lost  our  army.1 

GREENE — A  remarkable  man  ! 

PUTNAM — As  clearly  as  I  see  this  shining  hilt,  he  saw 
the  necessity  of  retreat  when  the  disastrous  day  had 
closed.  Those  there  were,  with  swelling  ignorance,  who 
disdained  to  yield  an  inch  to  the  enemy,  and  would 
fight  it  out  there  and  then.2  And  some  of  our  warlike 
heroes  in  Congress,  who  never  attacked  anything  more 
dangerous  than  a  fishbone  in  a  hungry  meal,  even  now 
wag  their  tongues  in  hurtful  criticism.3 

GREENE — I  often  wonder  how  long  these  burdens  can 
be  borne. 

PUTNAM — The  day  after  the  battle  a  drenching  rain  ; 
and  the  next,  again  a  drenching  rain.  These  were  worth 
a  thousand  guns,  to  hold  the  enemy  in  his  lines  and  to 
protect  us  in  ours.  During  these  eight-and-forty  hours 
Washington  was  sleepless.4  The  storms  which  swept 

1  Just  before  the  battle  on  Long  Island  was  to  open,  Gen.  Greene 
[who  had  been  in  command  of  the  Americans]  became  ill  of  a  raging 
fever.  His  loss  was  irreparable,  for  the  work  in  Brooklyn  had  been 
built  under  his  eye,  and  he  was  familiar  with  the  surroundings. — 
Bancroft. 

On  August  24th,  Gen.  Putnam  took  command  in  place  of  Greene. 
Putnam,  having  no  time  to  familiarize  himself  with  the  plans  of 
Greene,  blundered  in  many  ways  while  the  fight  was  on.  The  disas- 
ters of  the  day  were  due  to  the  incapacity  of  Putnam. — Bancroft. 

8  On  the  morning  after  the  disastrous  repulse  Washington  went 
over  to  Brooklyn  and  took  command.  At  a  council  of  war,  some 
were  against  giving  the  enemy  an  inch  of  ground,  but  Washington 
ordered  a  retreat.  The  rain  fell  for  two  days  and  nights  with 
little  intermission  (the  2Sth  and  2gth  of  August),  and  on  the  morning 
of  August  3Oth,  a  heavy  fog  settled  over  Brooklyn  and  the  East 
River.  Meantime  Washington  had  reached  New  York  without 
the  loss  of  a  man. — Bancroft. 

8  Rumor  quadrupled  the  force  of  Washington  to  Congress,  and  it 
expected  him  to  stay  the  enemy  at  the  threshold.  When  on  the 
2d  of  September,  Gen.  Sullivan  [who,  a  prisoner  to  Howe,  had  been 
by  him  sent  to  Congress  with  propositions]  was  introduced  to  John 
Adams,  he  exclaimed  :  "  Oh,  the  decoy  duck  !  would  that  the  first 
bullet  of  the  enemy  on  Long  Island  had  passed  through  his  brain." 
— Bancroft. 

4  For  eight-and-forty  hours  [following  the  battle]  Washington 
gave  no  moment  to  sleep,  and  by  night  and  by  day  was  on  horse- 


74  WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

the  plains  by  day  and  night  were  both  sun  and  light  to 
him,  since  so  they  served  him  in  his  purpose.  Then  a 
heavy  fog  settled  over  all,  and  our  army,  safely  ferried  to 
New  York,  left  empty  hillocks  to  the  enemy.6 

GREENE — Putnam,  this  was  a  marvelous  work,  as  I 
learn  the  story  now. 

PUTNAM — Strongly  intrenched  upon  these  hills  of 
Harlem,  we  could  defy  all  England,  if  we  had  those 
twin  giants  of  successful  war,  discipline  and  ammuni- 


tion. Now,  discouragement  may  come  like  a  thief,  to 
steal  away  the  courage  of  our  men. 

GREENE — But  the  retreat  from  New  York  to  these 
suburban  heights  ? 

PUTNAM — We  were  faced  by  heavy  guns  on  either 
river,  that  looked  upon  us  from  more  than  a  hundred 
keels.  The  enemy  entered  the  city  from  the  north  to 
close  us  in.  He  was  foiled.  Yes,  foiled  by  a  woman, — 
may  the  name  of  Murray  never  be  lost  by  a  grateful 
people, — who  held  Howe  in  social  dalliance  till  our  army 
had  slipped  away.  So  here  we  are,  ready  to  cross 
swords  again  when  these  hirelings  may  come." 

back  in  the  lines.  All  the  time  he  continued  abroad  in  the  wind 
and  rain. — Bancroft. 

6  See  Note  2. 

*  The  I3th  of  September  the  British  fixed  upon  for  landing  in  New 
York.  Washington's  men  refused  to  resist  their  entrance,  and  at 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.  75 

GREENE — When,  if  ever,  shall  we  cope  with  our  foe, 
equipped  as  soldiers  should  be  ? 

PUTNAM — Greene,  equipment  is  not  the  sorest  of  our 
needs.  Confidence  and  trust  in  our  general  would  be, 
to  the  work  before  us,  like  rain  to  a  parched  soil. 

GREENE — He  is  most  anxious  about  Carleton  and  the 
department  of  the  North.7 

PUTNAM — And  rightly  so.  Gen.  Gates,  in  July  last, 
gave  up  Crown  Point,  the  doorway  through  which  Carle- 
ton  must  pass  to  strike  us  from  the  North.  He  failed 
to  report  this  to  Washington — refused  to  acknowledge 
him  as  his  superior,  and  law-givers  at  Philadelphia  have 
encouraged  this.8  Oh,  that  we  had  a  Tarpeian  rock 
from  which  to  hurl  such  shallow  patriots,  and  I  were 
executioner  ! 

GREENE — Here  comes  his  Excellency. 

Enter  GEN.  WASHINGTON,  who  bows  to  the  others, 
WASHINGTON — My     apologies,    gentlemen,     to     you 

Kip's  Bay,  on  the  I5th,  fled  in  confusion.  Putnam  was  cut  off,  with 
a  force  of  four  thousand  men,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  city.  Putnam 
escaped  by  hugging  close  to  the  Hudson  on  his  way  out  of  the  city 
to  Harlem  Heights.  But  the  respite  that  saved  Putnam  was  due  to 
Mary  Lindley,  wife  of  Robert  Murray.  When  Gen.  Howe  and 
officers  came  to  her  house  on  Murray  Hill  she  detained  them  at  lunch 
until  every  American  regiment  had  escaped.  On  the  i6th  Washing- 
ton was  intrenched  on  Harlem  Heights  and  had  a  skirmish  with  the 
British,  in  which  Col.  Knowlton  and  Maj.  Leitch  were  killed.  Put- 
nam and  Greene  joined  in  this  action. — Bancroft. 

1 1n  May,  1776,  Burgoyne  had  arrived  in  Canada  with  heavy  re- 
enforcements  to  Gen.  Carleton.  (See  Scenes,  Act  II.)  With  this 
powerful  armament  threatening  from  the  North,  and  after  the  failure 
at  this  time  of  the  American  expedition  of  Congress  into  Canada,  fol- 
lowed by  the  surrender  of  Crown  Point  by  Gates,  Washington  was 
naturally  filled  with  anxiety  for  affairs  outside  of  the  struggle  for 
New  York  City. 

8  In  July,  1776,  Crown  Point  was  abandoned  by  Gates,  who  had 
been  appointed  by  Congress  to  the  command  of  the  forces  in  Canada. 
This  surrender  he  [Gates]  neglected  to  report  to  his  superior  [Wash- 
ington]. When  Washington  expressed  sorrow  at  the  retreat  from 
Crown  Point  Gates  resented  this  as  an  interference  and  referred  the 
matter  to  Congress.  While  he  set  himself  up  as  a  rival  of  the 
comrnander-in-chief,  he  was  intriguing  with  Congress  to  supersede 
Schuylcr. — Bancroft. 


7 6  WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

both.  I  was  involved  in  duties  that  would  control  me. 
Greene,  I  am  glad  to  greet  you,  and,  I  trust,  with  a  body 
purged  from  recent  ills.  You  have  been  greatly  missed. 

GREENE — I  seek  opportunity  to  cancel  the  debt  of 
absence. 

WASHINGTON — This  came  in  the  skirmish  yesterday. 
You,  both  of  you,  there  drained  the  cup  of  praise  which 
falls  to  valorous  deeds.  But  the  loss  of  Knowlton  and 
of  Leitch  !  Insatiable  Death  is  gorged  too  often  with 
the  best ! • 

PUTNAM — We  have  called,  general,  for  your  orders. 

WASHINGTON — The  army  will  rest  here  until  forced  to 
fall  back.  These  days  will  likely  be  very  few. 

GREENE — We  have  a  strong  defense  upon  these  hills. 
And  beyond,  but  a  little  way,  we  may  securely  rest,  till 
tired  of  monotony. 

WASHINGTON — All  are  traps,  into  which  we  must  not 
fall.  Our  policy  is  retreat,  and  then  again  retreat.  We 
fight  a  defensive  war.  Keep  the  enemy  in  front ;  and 
back  and  back,  into  the  land,  until,  at  last,  the  Alle- 
ghanies,  nature's  great  redoubt,  will  be  ours,  with 
advantage  all  our  own  !  Rash  would  it  be  to  risk  a 
general  action  !  But  Congress,  I  am  aware,  favors  more 
aggressive  measures.10 

PUTNAM — What  can  these  civilians  in  Philadelphia 
know  of  war  that  we  in  the  field  should  follow  ?  While 
they  plan  campaigns  upon  Turkish  carpets,  our  limbs  are 
weary  with  the  tramp  and  our  swords  red  from  want  of 
time  to  clean  them.  Shall  such  men  presume  to  give 
military  orders  to  our  chief  ?  Congress  be 

WASHINGTON  [sternly] — General,  general  ! 

PUTNAM — Then  Congress  be  blessed. 

'  Referring  to  the  Battle  of  Harlem,  on  September  16,  1776.  (See 
Note  6.) 

10  It  was  his  [Washington's]  design  not  to  risk  a  general  engage- 
ment, but  to  harass  the  English  by  skirmishers  ;  cutting  off  their  sup- 
plies and  exhausting  their  patience. — Frost. 

"  If  overpowered,  we  must  cross  the  Alleghanies,"  said  Washing- 
ton.— Irving. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


77 


WASHINGTON — Of  what  worth  to  win  the  good  we 
hope  for,  if  we  rebel  against  the  weighty  orders  of  the 
state  ?     We  may  advise,  but  we  may  not  resist  the  au- 
thority  we  profess    to  serve. 
Error    in     our     superiors    is 
chargeable  to  infirmity  of  na- 
ture, which  time  and  reflection 
often  cure  ! 

GREENE — Then  be  it  the 
prayer  of  all  just  men  that 
the  cure  comes  soon. 

WASHINGTON  —  Gentlemen, 
what  punishment  is  due  to 
him  just  detected  in  an  effort 
to  poison  the  general-in-chief  ? 

GREENE  and  PUTNAM  [in 
unison] — To  poison  you  ? 

WASHINGTON  —  This 
very  day  I  was  to  have 
been  a  victim.  Provi- 
dence has  preserved  my 
life ;  for  what  ends  I 
know  not. 

GREENE — The  culprit  has  been  captured  ? 

WASHINGTON — Yes  ;  one  of  my  own  guard.  And  by 
me  trusted,  I  may  say  literally  trusted,  almost  unto 
death  ! 

PUTNAM — He  should  die  at  sunset,  and  the  whole 
army  see  the  creature  die  ! 

WASHINGTON — His  youth  pleads  against  this  punish- 
ment. The  enemy  is  the  chief  malefactor.  Why  hang 
the  deluded  boy  while  the  greater  criminal  survives  ?  It 
is  more  humane  to  send  him  out  of  camp  to  the  care  of 
those  who  used  him.11 

11  In  1776,  when  the  army  was  near  New  York,  Washington  was 
informed  of  an  attempt  upon  his  life  by  poison,  to  be  placed  in  his 
pease  at  dinner.  Harold,  one  of  his  guard,  was  the  culprit.  Wash- 
ington sat  down  to  dinner  between  Gates  and  Wooster.  When  the 
pease  were  placed  upon  the  table  he  called  the  guilty  man  to  him  and 


7 3  WASHINGTON,  OK    THE  REVOLUTION. 

PUTNAM— A  merciful  decree  ! 

WASHINGTON — We  shall  be  fortunate  if  this  be  the 
last  effort  made  to  gain  this  end.  He  who  engages 
the  savage  will  not  hesitate  at  assassination  !  I  face  it 
as  among  the  chances  of  war  ! 

GREENE— The  foe  will  never  learn  the  lesson  taught  in 
the  generosity  of  this  decision. 

WASHINGTON — I  fear  he  will  not.  But  the  fault  be 
his,  not  mine.  In  the  realms  of  kindness  I  should  not 
limp  because  he  is  lame.  I  confess  I  am  grieved  lest 
a  man  of  every  noble  grace,  perhaps  now  in  the  hands  of 
the  invaders,  with  a  cruel  fate,  may  illustrate  our  argument. 

PUTNAM — I  trust  this  proof  may  fail,  if  it  add  a  sor- 
row to  a  load  piled  to  huge  weight  already. 

WASHINGTON — It  was  necessary  that  the  strength  and 
the  intentions  of  the  enemy  should  be  known  from  some 
authentic  source.  When  deficient  in  all  that  supplies  an 
army,  resort  to  indirection  that  helps  toward  equality. 
In  war  this  argument  justifies  the  employment  of  a  spy. 

GREENE— A  spy  !  a  spy  in  the  other  camp  ! 

WASHINGTON — One  of  the  bravest  and  truest  of  New 
England's  sons  a  few  days  since  tendered  to  me  his  ser- 
vice. So  I  was  impressed  by  my  only  interview.  He 
knew  the  risks.  He  weighed  them  well,  and  faltered 
not,  since  it  was  to  serve  his  country:  After  visiting 
both  the  Hessian  and  the  British  camps  he  was  to  return 
to  me.  He  is  overdue,  and  his  absence  fills  me  with  alarm. 

PUTNAM— I  think  I  know  him. 

WASHINGTON — He  was  sent  to  me  by  Col.  Knowlton 
from  a  Connecticut  regiment.  His  rank  is  captain,  and 
his  name  is  Nathan  Hale.1* 

said,  "  Shall  I  eat  of  these  pease  ?  "  The  youth  turned  pale,  and  stam- 
mered, "  I  don't  know."  Again  Washington  repeated  his  question, 
raiding  the  vegetable  to  his  lips.  Here  the  culprit  broke  down  and  the 
crime  was  known. — "  Romanccof  the  Revolution"  pub.  in  Phil.,  1870. 
"  When,  after  the  disaster  on  Long  Island,  Washington  needed  to 
know  of  the  intentions  of  the  enemy,  Nathan  Hale,  a  captain  in 
Knowlton 's  regiment,  volunteered  to  venture,  under  a  disguise, 
within  the  British  lines  on  Long  Island.  He  was  detected  and  exe- 
cuted. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


79 


PUTNAM — A  man  of  noble  qualities.  I  know  him 
well.  I  hope  for  his  safe  return.  But  if  not,  if  furious 
war  claims  a  martyr,  searching  our  army  through,  it 
would  fail  to  find  a  brighter  name  than  that  of  Nathan 
Hale.  [All  retire. 


SCENE  III.  Military  prison  in  New  York  City.  "  The 
New  fail"  (Hall  of  Records ,  1893).  The  court-yard 
of  the  prison.  Time  :  September  21,  1776,  midnight. 

Enter    CAPT.    CUNNINGHAM,    British    provost-marshal, 
armed  soldiers  as  a  guard,  and  two  keepers. 

CUNNINGHAM — How    many    rascals    have    died    to- 
night ? '  [  Thumps  a  table. 

FIRST  KEEPER — We  have  sent  four  out  for  burial  since 
sundown. 

CUNNINGHAM — Four!  No  more? 
You  are  the  prison  physician  to  keep 
these  rats  alive,  and  not  the  keeper 
of  the  spade,  to  bury  them.  Man, 
if  you  had  said  four  hundred,  I 
would  have  hugged  you.  In  the 
prison  ship,  where  I  spent  last  night, 
we  disposed  of  thirty. 

SECOND  KEEPER — I  robbed  over 
sixty  of  their  food  last  night.  This 
will  help  the  record. 

CUNNINGHAM  —  Too      slow,    too 

slow  !     We  starve  them, we  rob  them, 

we   pinch    them  with   raging  thirst, 

and  yet  they  live.     Men,  we  are   all 

too  kind.     There  is  too   much   heart 

among  us.     Do  you  understand  me  ? 

[An  attendant  appears,  bearing  a 

decanter  and  mugs. 

FIRST  KEEPER — Captain,  will  you 
have  the  decanter  upon  the  table  ? 

1  The  particular  "  horror  "  of  war  is  the  military  prison.     In  1776 
nearly  five  thousand  Americans  were  confined   in  the  Jersey  prison 


8o  WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

CUNNINGHAM — Yes,  and  the  mugs,  that  we  may  drain 
a  bumper  to  the  King.  [The  attendant  places  a  bottle  and 
mugs  upon  the  table.]  This  is  the  best  fire  for  these  chilly 
hours.  [Pours  out  a  huge  drink  and  drains  it  off]  That 
is  good.  That  makes  some  amend  for  being  here.  Any 
prisoners  brought  in  to-day  ? 

SECOND  KEEPER — Some  from  Harlem  Heights. 

CUNNINGHAM — What  had  they? 

SECOND  KEEPER — The  clothes  they  stood  in. 

CUNNINGHAM — Bah  !  Did  you  drown  them  ?  How 
do  such  trash  expect  to  pay  for  their  keeping  here? 
[Drinks  another  glass.]  Our  generals  are  too  humane  for 
this  war.  Why  take  such  prisoners?  A  blow  on  the 
crown  is  cheaper. 

FIRST  KEEPER — My  assistant  is  mistaken.  We  found 
a  few  watches  and  some  keepsakes. 

CUNNINGHAM  [greedily] — And  you  secured  them  all  ? 
All — every  item  ?  If  you  allowed  as  much  of  value  to 
escape  as  could  be  felt  by  sensitive  fingers,  I'd  lash  you, 
every  one,  every  one  of  you.  Keepsakes  and  spoils,  I 
am  here  for  these.  [  To  one  of  the  armed  soldiers  of  the 
guard]  Fellow,  how  dare  you  smirk  at  me  ? 

[Reeling  from  drink,  he  offers  to  strike  //////,  and  the 
soldier  dodges. 

FIRST  SOLDIE"R — Colonel,  I  did  not  smirk  at  you. 

CUNNINGHAM — Colonel  !  How  dare  you  call  me 
colonel  ?  Say  general  to  me,  or  I  will  shoot  you  with 
your  own  musket.  .General  !  Remember  now,  every 
one  of  you,  general  !  I  will  be  general  to  my  guard, 
even  though  my  superiors  are  slow  in  promotion,  and 

ship,  the  Middle  Dutch,  North  Dutch,  and  French  churches,  King's 
College,  the  New  Jail,  sugar  houses,  and  the  City  Hall.  The  "  New 
Jail"  (now,  1893,  Hall  of  Records)  was  destined  for  the  more  noto- 
rious rebels,  civil,  naval,  and  military.  So  closely  were  they  packed, 
they  formed  a  solid  mass.  The  provost  marshal  was  Capt.  Cun- 
ningham, notorious  for  his  cruelty.  He  was  executed  in  London, 
August  10,  1791,  for  forgery. — Memorial  Hist,  of  New  York,  J. 
Grant  Wilson. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.          81 

still  keep  me  captain.     I  know  my  deserts,  and  promote 
myself.  [Staggers  with  intoxication. 

FIRST  SOLDIER — General,  I  did  not  smirk  at  you. 

CUNNINGHAM — That's  better.  Have  a  drink.  [Pours 
out  for  him  a  dram,  which  the  soldier  drains  off.]  How 
the  wind  roars  !  Well,  let  it  roar  !  We  are  snug.  [To 
SECOND  SOLDIER.]  Your  face  is  new.  Your  eyes  are 
crossed — and  your  nose — your  nose  is  loose.  You  seem 
to  have  two  noses,  and  they  are  not  at  rest.  Who  are 
you  ? 

SECOND  SOLDIER — I  am  William  Clayton,  general. 
CUNNINGHAM — Where  did  you  come  from  ? 

SECOND  SOLDIER — I  am  from  Monmouth  in  New 
Jersey. 

CUNNINGHAM — How  got  you  here  ?  Here  in  the 
King's  livery,  that  should  be  worn  by  men  with  straight 
eyes  and — a  single  nose  ? 

SECOND  SOLDIER — I  served  the  King  there,  and  was 
ordered  here  by  Gen.  Howe. 

CUNNINGHAM — You  lie  !  Gen.  Howe  never  stoops  to 
such  promotions.  It  is  only  men  of  rank  whom  he  con- 
siders. [Strikes  his  breast. 

SECOND  SOLDIER — I  am  not  cunning  in  such  matters. 
I  was  given  place  here  in  the  prison  guard,  and  thought  it 
was  Gen.  Howe. 

CUNNINGHAM — What  did  you  do  in  that  land — that 
land — that  traded  you  to  us  ? 

SECOND  SOLDIER — I  was  loyal  to  the  King. 
CUNNINGHAM — Good  !    And  you  smote  his  enemies  ? 

SECOND  SOLDIER — My  nearest  neighhor,  and  once  my 
dearest  friend,  is  with  Washington.  I  burned  his  home. 

CUNNINGHAM — Brave  heart,  drink  !  [Gives  him  a 
mug,  which  he  drains.']  And  his  chicks  ?  Did  he  have 
any  ? 

SECOND  SOLDIER — His  wife,  bearing  her  infant  in  her 
arms,  escaped  through  the  snow  to  friendly  shelter. 


8z  WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

CUNNINGHAM — Bungler  that  you  are  !  [Smites  him 
with  a  small  stick  from  a  chair  near  him.]  You  shall  have 
no  more  drink.  You  should  have  brained  them  both. 
You  shall  be  cashiered  for  neglect  of  duty.  [To  THIRD 
SOLDIER.]  Weazen-faced  hero  in  the  King's  toggery,  how 
got  you  into  this  place  ?  I  have  ten  other  prisons  in  this 
town,*  and  in  them  all,  no  man  on  guard  who  looks  like 
you.  Your  hair  is  too  red  for  this  place,  and  your 
paunch  too  lean — too  like  our  prisoners.  Fatness,  fat- 
ness  pleases  us.  You  are  not  fat.  Where  came  you 
from  ?  Loon,  answer  me. 

THIRD  SOLDIER — I  am  an  honest  boy,  born  in  Con- 
necticut, not  very  far  from  here. 

CUNNINGHAM — What  did  you  eat  and  drink,  to  get 
that  shape  ?  Roots,  weeds,  and  vinegar,  I  am  certain. 
Be  careful  of  our  rich  diet  here,  or  apoplexy  !  What 
deed  of  valor  belongs  to  you  ? 

THIRD  SOLDIER — I  quarreled  with  my  brother  because 
he  was  a  rebel.  The  night  he  was  to  leave  to  serve  with 
Putnam,  in  the  dark,  I  crawled  up  and  shot  him  in  the 
back.  I  then  came  here. 

CUNNINGHAM — Cadaverous  and  red-headed  Caesar, 
shake  hands  with  your  general.  [They  shake  hands  cor- 
dially] Oh,  that  I  had  a  thousand  mighty  men  like 
you  !  We  will  warm  that  shriveled  but  heroic  front  with 
drink. 

[He  fills  a  mug  for  the  soldier  and  one  for  himself, 

and  both  drink. 

[  While  drinking ,  a  dozen  prisoners  from  different 
sides  of  the  court  enter  the  place.  They  are 
emaciated,  ragged,  and  suffering.  FARMER 
DICK,  tunu  CAPT.  STANDISH,  is  among  them. 

FIRST  PRISONER — General,  it  is  so  cold.  By  day  we 
scorch  in  summer's  heat,  but  at  night,  we  shiver,  for 
winter's  chill  comes  with  September's  gales.  No  clothes 
— no  fire. 

SECOND  PRISONER — General,  I  have  not  tasted  food 

1  See  Note  i. 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.  83 

for  two  days.      I   am  slowly   dying.      For  pity,   help 
us!8 

[CUNNINGHAM   moves  up  and  down  the  court   in 
great  impatience. 

THIRD  PRISONER — My  brother  died  last  night.  I 
nursed  him  to  the  last.  I  must  follow  him,  if  I  have  no 
relief.  For  two  days  I  have  parched  with  thirst  for 
want  of  a  glass  of  water.  I  was  captured  on  Long  Island. 

FOURTH  PRISONER — And  I  on  Harlem  Heights.  I 
have  been  but  four  days  here,  and  already  know  how 
blessed  it  would  have  been  to  have  died  in  battle.  This 
imprisonment  would  be  punishment  to  Lucifer.  Gen- 
eral, be  merciful  ! 

CUNNINGHAM  [furiously] — Curses  upon  you  all  ! 
This  very  morning  the  town  was  fired,  no  doubt  by  some 
friendly  hand  of  yours,  and  is  still  smoking  in  its  ashes  ; 
and  yet  you  cry  for  warmth  and  fire.  Knaves  and 
traitors  to  your  King,  starve  and  thirst  and  die  ! 4  [The 
prisoners  all  fall  back  before  his  fury,  except  CAPT.  STAN- 
DISH.]  Had  I  a  thousand  smoking  joints,  they  should 
feed  the  sewers,  instead  of  you.  Back  now  to  your  holes, 
impudent  scum — and  die — die  as  the  only  duty  left 
to  do.  [They  all  move  off  but  CAPT.  STANDISH. 

CAPT.  STANDISH — Provost-Marshal  Cunningham,  I 
ask  a  word  with  you  before  I  go. 

CUNNINGHAM — Varlet  !     Do  you  brave  my  orders  ? 

[Raises  his  stick  as  if  to  strike  him. 

3  In  the  North  Dutch  Church  [on  William  Street]  eight  hundred 
prisoners  were  incarcerated  without  fuel  or  bedding  during  two  of  the 
coldest  winters  New  York  has  ever  known.     Their  provisions  were 
scanty  and  poor,  and,  of  course  they  died  from  cold  and  starvation. 
"We  never,"  says  Oliver   Woodruff,   one  of  the  prisoners,    "drew 
as  much  provision  for  three  days  as  a    man    would    eat   at  a  com- 
mon meal.     For  three  months   in    that  inclement  season,  the  only 
fire  I  saw  were  the  lamps  in  the  city.      There  was  not  a  pane  of 
glass  in  the  windows,   and  nothing   to    keep   out    the    cold  except 
the  iron  grates."     And  so  of  the   other   prisons.     Many  were  poi- 
soned for  the  sake  of  their  watches  and  silver  buckles. — "  History  of 
New  York  City"  Win.  L.  Stone. 

4  About  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  2ist  [September  21, 
1776]  a  fire  chanced  to  break  out  near  Whitehall  Street  [New  York 
City].     More  than  four  hundred  houses  were  burned. — Bancroft. 


84  WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

STANDISH — Dare  to  lay  a  blow  on  me,  and  these  fists 
shall  be  the  hammers  of  your  sudden  death  ! 6 

[Raises  his  clenched  fists  and  moves  threateningly 

upon  CUNNINGHAM,  who  becomes  quiet. 
CUNNINGHAM — Who  are  you  ?     $uch  courage  is  not 
of  every  day. 

STANDISH — I  am  Richard  Standish,  Captain  in  the 
Continental  Army. 

CUNNINGHAM — What  word  would  you  with  me  ? 

\Becomes  suddenly  sobered. 

STANDISH — I  have  a  dream  to  relate,  which  will 
interest  you.  At  all  events,  I  desire  you  to  hear  it.  I 
intend  you  shall. 

CUNNINGHAM — A  dream  ?  Nothing  so  captivates  me 
as  a  dream. 

STANDISH — Then  listen.  [Prisoners  and guards  gather 
round  to  hear.~\  Last  night,  as  I  lay  famished,  I  fell  into 
an  uneasy  sleep.  The  vision  I  then  saw  has  appeared 
twice  before  ;  hence  so  marvelous.  I  thought  the  war 
was  over  and  our  arms  victorious.  The  King  and  his 
hirelings  were  driven  from  our  shores.  I  was  next  in 
London — a  free  American  citizen — the  equal  of  any 
sovereign,  for  I  felt  I  was  myself  a  king. 

CUNNINGHAM — A  curse  upon  your  comments  !  The 
dream,  the  dream  ! 

STANDISH — Curiosity  took  me  to  Newgate  Prison. 
The  sufferings  from  the  Briton  here  led  me  to  seek 
what  he  did  at  home.  It  was  the  day  for  an  execu- 
tion. The  crime  was  forgery.  How  vivid  is  the  pic- 
ture here  before  me,  now  !  This  moment  I  see  in  part 
my  dream.  The  culprit  was  brought  forth,  bound. 
Cowardly  wretch  !  he  cringed  and  writhed  and  begged 
for  mercy,  but  none  was  shown.  The  noose  was  around 
his  neck.  His  fainting  form,  I  see  it  now  upon  the 
trap.  Hell  or  Heaven  is  to  receive  him.  The  black 
cap  is  lifted  for  farewell.  I  look.  I  tremble  in  amaze- 

6  This  was  the  language  really  used  by  Ethan  Allen  to  Gen. 
Prescott,  who  threatened  him  after  his  capture  before  Montreal. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.          85 

ment.  Is  it  possible  ?  God  is  just,  and  retribution 
comes.  I  look  again,  and  the  villain  is — it  is — William 
Cunningham  !  British  Provost-Marshal  of  New  York 
— it  is  you,  it  is  you  !  *  [All  fall  back  horror-stricken. 


CUNNINGHAM  [blanches 
with  fear  and  staggers. — 
Aside] — I  have  had  that 
very  dream.  What  can  this 
mean  ?  It  shakes  me  in 
every  fiber.  It  will  never  do 
to  falter  here.  [Aloud.']  Do  you  hope  to  frighten  a  sol- 


6  Provost-Marshal  Cunningham  was  executed  in  London  for  for- 
gery August  10,  1791.  In  his  dying  confession  he  said  :  "  I 
was  made  Provost-Marshal  of  the  Royal  Army,  which  enabled  me 
to  wreak  my  vengeance  on  the  Americans.  I  shudder  to  think  of 
the  murders  I  have  caused.  In  New  York  City  there  were  more 
than  two  thousand  prisoners  starved  by  stopping  their  rations, 
which  I  sold.  There  were  also  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  pris- 
oners executed.  The  people  on  the  street  were  ordered  at  midnight 
to  put  out  their  lights  and  not  to  appear  at  the  windows,  on  pain  of 
death.  Then  the  unfortunate  prisoner  was  gagged  and  hung  and 
buried." — Memorial  History  of  New  York,J.  Grant  Wilson. 


86  WASHINGTON,    OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

dier  in  the  British  army  with  the  visions  of  a  treach- 
erous and  diseased  brain  ?  I  have  heard  enough.  All 
of  you,  back  to  your  dungeons,  or  my  guard  shall  force 
you  there.  [All  the  prisoners  retire .]  I-  would  much 
that  I  had  not  heard  the  ravings  of  this  madman.  I 
know  not  why,  but  my  heart  sinks  at  the  recital. 

Enter  an  English  CORPORAL  and  a  guard  of  soldiers,  with 
NATHAN  HALE  as  a  prisoner. 

CORPORAL  [holding  papers  in  his  hand] — Orders  for 
Capt.  Cunningham,  Provost-Marshal  of  New  York. 

CUNNINGHAM — I  am  that  man. 

CORPORAL  [handing  him  the  papers} — With  these 
orders,  I  am  to  deliver  to  you  this  prisoner. 

CUNNINGHAM  [reading] — A  spy !  I  see  we  have  a 
spy.  He  is  to  die  at  daylight.  That  is  here  already,  so 
he  dies  at  once.  Prisoner,  you  know  your  fate. 

HALE — I  know  it,  and  am  prepared  to  meet  it. 

CUNNINGHAM — You  will  die  like  a  dog,  because  taken 
in  a  work  most  foul. 

HALE — Any  service  for  the  public  good  is  honorable, 
when  necessary !  Such  service  did  I  seek  to  render  to 
my  people,  and  I  now  regret  it  not. 

CUNNINGHAM — Still  unrepentant !  You  ought  to  die 
twice  for  a  speech  like  that.  [Aside.]  I'll  not  be 
cheated  into  mercy  by  a  dream.  What's  a  dream  to  me 
more  than  to  any  other  man  ?  [Aloud.]  Who  pre- 
sided at  your  trial  ?  These  papers  state  not. 

HALE — I  had  no  trial.  I  was  seized  at  Huntington, 
Long  Island — betrayed  by  a  cousin  who  is  against  our 
cause.  Was  taken  before  Gen.  Howe.  I  told  him  that 
my  name  was  Nathan  Hale  ;  my  rank,  captain,  in  Knowl- 
ton's  Connecticut  Rangers  of  the  Continental  Army, 
and  that,  as  a  spy,  I  was  within  his  lines. 

CUNNINGHAM — And  he  served  you  right  when  he 
ordered  you  to  the  scaffold.  Guards,  prepare  the  pris- 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.        87 

oner  for  immediate  execution  !  [  The  guards  strip  off  his 
coat,  tie  his  arms  behind  him,  and  place  the  noose  around  his 
neck.]  This  work  revives  me  and  gives  me  spirit.  May 
the  devil  catch  all  dreamers  !  I  am  a  man  again  ! 

HALE — In  these  last  moments,  I  ask  for  man's  final 
consolation — a  Bible  and  a  clergyman. 

CUNNINGHAM — You  shall  have  neither.  What  have  I 
to  do  with  Bibles  and  such  drivelers  ?  The  devil  is 
already  waiting  for  your  soul !  Let  him  have  it  quickly, 
nor  seek  to  change  a  just  fate  ! 

HALE — May  I  write  ?  I  would  send  a  letter  to  my 
mother ;  and  a  farewell,  a  long  farewell,  to  another,  as 
dear  to  me  as  she.  No  man  worthy  of  the  name  would 
refuse  this  ! 

CUNNINGHAM — You   shall   not   write.     I   would   not 

have  the  ragged  traitors  know  that  one  among  them 

could  die  so  bravely.     Moreover,  you  are  prepared  for 

the  cart,  and  we  have  no  time  to  waste  in  comfort  to  a 

spy.     Your  hour  has  come.     Guards,  take  your  places  ! 

[  The  guards  arrange  themselves  on  each  side  of  the 

prisoner. 

HALE  [raising  his  eyes'] — I  only  regret  that  I  have  but 
one  life  to  lose  for  my  country  ! 7 

CUNNINGHAM — Forward,  march!  [All retire. 

1  Nathan  Hale  volunteered  his  services  to  gather  information  within 
the  lines  of  the  enemy  for  Washington.  (See  Note  1 2,  Scene  2.)  He 
was  captured  on  Long  Island  just  as  he  was  returning  to  the  American 
camp.  He  was  taken  before  Gen.  Howe,  in  New  York  City,  and  to 
him  Hale  boldly  avowed  his  position.  He  was  ordered,  without  a 
trial,  to  immediate  execution  at  daylight,  and  sent  to  the  infamous 
Cunningham  to  enforce  it,  on  September  21,  1776  (the  day  of  the 
great  fire).  He  was  presumably  brought  to  [the  Hall  of  Records] 
"  the  New  Jail,"  as  this  was  the  prison  for  prominent  captives.  His 
letters  were  destroyed,  for  Cunningham  would  not  have  the  Ameri- 
cans know  one  of  them  could  die  so  bravely.  He  was  not  permitted 
to  write  to  his  mother,  nor  to  have  a  Bible.  When  he  ascended  the 
scaffold  on  the  morning  of  September  22,  1776,  his  dying  words 
were  :  "I  only  regret  that  I  have  but  one  life  to  lose  for  my 
country ! " 


88 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


SCENE  IV.  A  room  in  headquarters  of  GEN.  CHARLES 
LEE,  of  Continental  Army,  at  £askingridge,  New  Jer- 
sey. Time :  Forenoon,  December  13,  1776. 

Enter  CAPT.  STANDISH  and  "FARMER  GEORGE,"  noiv 
CAPT.  GEORGE  ALDEN,  of  the  Continental  Army. 
Both  in  uniform. 

CAPT.  STANDISH — Dear  friend  of  peaceful  days,  I  re- 
joice to  meet  you,  though  it's  a  great  surprise. 


CAPT.  ALDEN — I  can  almost  fancy,  Dick,  seeing  your 
honest  face,  that  I  am  home  again. 

STANDISH— I  notice,  George,  that  you  have  now  your 
straps,  as  well  as  I. 

ALDEN — Yes,  I  am  a  captain,  and  aid  to  Gen.  Charles 
Lee. 

STANDISH — And  I  am  captain,  and  aid  to  Gen. 
Washington. 

ALDEN — Dick,  I  heard  you  were  a  prisoner. 

STANDISH — Two  months  ago  I  was  a  prisoner.  But  I 
have  quickly  gained  my  freedom,  as  you  see. 

ALDEN — The  brutal  Cunningham,  after  all,  must  have 
a  streak  of  kindness  to  let  you  go.  How  did  you  escape 
from  him  ? 

STANDISH — I  told  him  of  a  dream. 

ALDEN — And  was  a  solclrer  managed  from  a  dream  ? 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.        89 

STANDISH — It  was  a  weird  visitor  of  the  night.  It 
surely  frightened  him.  He  shunned  me  as  a  ghost,  and 
soon  got  rid  of  me. 

ALDEN — I  shall  resort  to  dreams  hereafter. 

STANDISH — But  to  business.  I  am  the  bearer  of 
orders  to  General  Lee  from  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
now  encamped  upon  the  Delaware.  They  are  to  be 
delivered  immediately. 

[ALDEN  receives  the  papers  from  STANDISH. 

ALDEN — I  will  hand  them  to  the  General,  who  is  in  his 
private  chamber.  I  will  return  at  once  to  you. 

[ALDEN  retires  with  the  papers. 

STANDISH  [musing] — My  friend  George  Alden  an 
aid  to  this  man  ?  I  do  not  rejoice  at  this,  for  I  could 
wish  him  a  better  fortune.  [ALDEN  returns. 

ALDEN — The  General  requests  that  you  await  his 
answer.  Dick,  what  were  you  saying  to  yourself  as  I 
came  back  ? 

STANDISH — When  ? 

ALDEN — Just  now,  as  I  returned. 

STANDISH — Nothing  worth  repeating.  I  was  musing, 
George. 

ALDEN — Yes,  Dick,  No  secrets  from  me  !  I  heard 
you  say,  "  I  could  wish  him  a  better  fortune."  Tell  me, 
what  meant  you  by  this  ? 

STANDISH — Will  you  have  it,  George  ?  Old  friend, 
whose  last  crust  would  half  be  mine,  shall  I  tell  you  ? 

ALDEN — Dick,  Dick  Standish,  you  have  grown  false 
to  me  unless  you  tell  me. 

STANDISH — Are  we  quite  alone  ?  No  danger  of  other 
ears  ? 

ALDEN — In  this  mansion  of  bygope  clays,  if  you 
should  shout,  besides  myself  the  walls  alone  would  be 
your  listener. 

STANDISH — Then,  George,  I  could  wish  you  a  better 
fortune  than  that  of  aid  to  this  man,  Charles  Lee.  I 
believe  him  to  be  a  cursed  traitor  !  I  echo  no  man's 
opinion,  but  I  have  my  own.  As  the  confidential  aid 


90        WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION. 

to  Washington  I  have  learned  much,  and,  as  I  think, 
know  him  well. 

ALDEN — Dick,  Dick  !     Ought  I  stand  here  and  listen 


and   not  resent  this  assault  upon   my  superior  ?    Re- 
member, Dick,  I  wear  a  sword  and  am  a  soldier. 

STANDISH — George,  here  we  meet  as  friends.     Put  up 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  91 

the  sword  and  forget  that  we  are  soldiers.  This  man 
Lee  is  in  rank  insubordination  at  this  moment  to  our 
great  commander.  The  orders  I  have  just  brought  re- 
quire him  at  once  to  join  his  strength  to  Washington's, 
now  across  the  Delaware.  I  have  carried  such  before, 
and  they  were  of  no  avail.  They  will  be  so  now.  O 
George  !  if  you  knew  the  heavy  load  which  our  chief 
daily  bears  from  necessity,  you  would  burst  with  anger, 
as  I  do  now,  to  have  it  needlessly  augmented. 

ALDEN — By  Heavens,  Dick  !  make  good  your  words, 
and  though  he  ranked  me  as  the  sun  the  planets,  he 
should  know  me  as  alien  to  his  conduct  ! 

STANDISH — He  has  friends  in  Congress,  the  seat  of 
civil  power,  and  hence  is  sustained  as  a  daily  menace  to 
our  cause.  How  often,  in  this  world,  does  it  happen 
that  virtue  unwittingly  lays  her  tribute  upon  the  brow  of 
vice,  and  after  seeks  to  cleanse  the  act  of  wrong  by  deep 
repentance.  This  man  Lee  was  in  the  South,  and  there 
did  little  more  than  cavil  at  better  men.1  After  the  dis- 
aster on  Long  Island  he  was  ordered  North  to  assist  our 
General."  Would  that  he  had  stayed  where  he  was 
harmless,  and  been  food  for  Southern  fevers  ! 

ALDEN — It  is  not  his  fault  that  he  came,  however. 

STANDISH — The  fault  was  afterward.  The  retreat 
from  New  York  was  done  when  Harlem  and  White 
Plains  came  tapping  upon  its  heels.  With  the  certainty 
of  sunshine  when  the  storm  abates,  so  Washington  saw 
safety  in  retreat  across  the  Hudson.  Early  in  Novem- 
ber a  deserter  from  Fort  Washington  gave  Howe  its 
plans,  and  thus  the  key  for  capture.  Putnam  crossed 
with  some  force  to  Fort  Lee,  then  in  command  of 
Greene,  which  also  included  Fort  Washington,  on  the 


1  Gen.  Charles  Lee  was  sent  South  in  March,  1776.  He  was  as 
querulous  as  ever.  Not  till  the  4th  of  June  did  he  reach  Charleston. 
On  the  28th  of  June,  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Moultrie,  Lee  for  the  tenth 
or  eleventh  time  charged  Col.  Moultrie  to  finish  the  bridge  for  his 
retreat,  and  said  the  fort  was  a  slaughter  pen. — Bancroft. 

*  Early  in  September,  1776,  Congress  called  Lee  to  the  North  to 
command  in  case  of  mishap  to  Washington. — Bancroft. 


92  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

eastern  bank.8  Gen.  Lee,  receiving  orders  to  follow, 
refused  obedience  and  openly  criticised  his  chief.  His 
command  was  further  up  the  river.* 

ALDEN — Then  Lee  was  not  responsible  for  Fort 
Washington  and  its  loss.  This  was  the  work  of  Greene. 

STANDISH — Not  directly.  But  it  was  impropriety  to 
belittle  the  plans  of  his  superior.  Greene — than  whom 
no  truer  patriot  ever  carried  sword — construed  his  or- 
ders to  retreat  as  optional  with  him  to  hold  Fort  Wash- 
ington or  not,  and  so  decided  that  Magaw  defend  it. 
Congress — the  bungler  will  ever  spoil  a  master's  work — 
would  have  it  thus,  and  Greene  was  so  far  excused.*  On 
the  night  before  the  assault  I  was  in  the  boat  that  car- 
ried Washington  toward  the  eastern  shore.  In  mid- 
stream Putnam  and  Greene  were  met,  and  counsel  had, 
such  as  the  stream  afforded.  It  was  too  late  to  repair 
the  wrong.  Greene  contended,  even  then,  that  Howe 
would  attack  in  vain.  All  returned  to  Fort  Lee,  and 

8  Since  the  Hudson  had  been  forced  by  ships  of  the  enemy,  and  a 
deserter  had  given  to  Howe  the  plans  of  the  fort,  Washington  saw 
that  Fort  Washington  could  not  be  held.  He  said  it  would  not  be 
prudent  to  hazard  stores  and  men  at  this  place.  "  I  leave  to  you 
[he  wrote  to  Gen.  Greene,]  to  give  such  orders  of  evacuation  as  you 
may  judge  best,  so  far  revoking  orders  to  Col.  Magaw  to  defend  it. 
You  will  immediately  have  all  the  stores  removed."  Putnam,  on 
the  gth  of  November,  crossed  into  Jersey  with  five  thousand  men. — 
Bancroft. 

4  Lee,  with  a  force  of  seven  thousand,  was  further  up  at  King's 
Bridge.  The  orders  to  him  were  :  "  If  the  enemy  remove  the  greater 
part  of  their  force  to  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson  I  [Washington] 
have  no  doubt  of  your  following  with  all  possible  dispatch."  But  to 
Lee  the  prospect  of  a  separate  command  was  so  alluring  that  he  re- 
solved not  to  join  his  superior. — Bancroft. 

8  Greene  framed  measures  contrary  to  Washington's  intentions  and 
orders.  (See  Note  3.)  He  questioned  the  directions  received  ;  in- 
sisted Fort  Washington  should  beheld.  Instead,  therefore,  of  vacat- 
ing it,  he  took  upon  himself  to  send  over  from  west  side  of  the  Hudson 
re-enforcements  ;  and,  in  a  report  to  Congress  counteracting  the  urgent 
remonstrances  of  his  chief,  he  encouraged  Congress  to  believe  that 
Howe  would  fail  in  his  attempt.  Previous  to  these  events  Congress 
had  opposed  the  idea  of  further  retreat. — Bancroft. 

Greene  considered  Washington's  orders  [see  Note  3]  optional  to 
retreat  or  not,  since  it  was  left  to  him  to  give  the  orders,  and  decided 
to  hold  the  fort. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          93 

our  General  awaited  the  coming  day  with  the  gravest 
apprehensions.  The  end  you  know.* 

ALDEN — It  was  a  grievous  loss.  Twenty-five  hun- 
dred of  our  best  soldiers,  and  much  needed  stores  ! 

STANDISH — It  was  more  grievous  to  witness  the  sore 
distress  of  our  great-hearted  chieftain.  Through  all, 
not  a  word  of  censure,  though  the  offense  was  heavy. 
He  never  does  complain.7  If  he  would,  it  were  much 
better.  Distress  may  fly,  in  words  that  blaze  and  burn, 
from  the  overburdened  soul,  when  hot  temper  holds  ajar 
the  door.  But  so  patient,  and  so  undismayed  !  There 
is  something  of  mystery  about  this  man  that  inspires  a 
sense  of  awe  which  no  other  mortal  gives  !  I  tell  you, 
George,  he  is  the  one  hope  we  have  of  victory,  and  upon 
his  single  palm  he  bears  up  our  falling  fortunes,  as  God 
bears  up  the  world  ! 

ALDEN — How  cruel  to  add  in  weight  a  needless 
feather  to  his  burdens  ! 

STANDISH — After  the  fall  of  Fort  Washington,  Corn- 
wallis  commanded  in  New  Jersey,  with  directions  to 
follow  Washington  and  to  destroy  him.  Fort  Lee  next 

6  Before  the  assault  and  fall  of  Fort  Washington,  the  General-in- 
Chief,  who  had  been  reconnoitering  the  river  at  the  North,  returned 
to  Fort  Lee,  and  to  his  great  grief  found  what  Greene  had  done. 
"  The  importance  of  the  Hudson"  had  induced  Congress  to  intervene 
by  an  order  which  left  Washington  no  authority  to  abandon  it  except 
from  necessity.  Greene  insisted  still  that  it  could  be  held.  Under 
all  this  advice  Washington  now  hesitated  to  give  an  absolute  order  to 
withdraw. — Bancroft. 

On  the  night  of  the  I4th  November  the  British  took  their  position, 
and  on  the  15th  summoned  Magaw  to  surrender.  This  was  sent  to 
Greene  and  by  him  to  Washington.  Washington  crossed  the  river 
late  that  night,  and  was  met  by  Putnam  and  Greene,  and  a  consulta- 
tion held  in  the  stream.  Greene  was  still  confident.  It  was  then 
too  late  to  change  affairs,  and  Washington  returned  to  Fort  Lee. 
The  result  was  Fort  Washington  the  next  day  surrendered  with 
garrison  and  stores. — Bancroft. 

1  Greene,  to  whose  rashness  the  disaster  was  due,  would  not  assume 
his  share  of  responsibility.  The  grief  of  Washington  was  great 
that  he  did  not  instantly  on  his  return  from  inspection  of  the 
Highlands  countermand  the  orders  of  Greene  ;  but  he  never  excused 
himself  by  throwing  the  blame  on  another.  No  hope  remained  in 
the  United  States  but  in  Washington. — Bancroft. 


94  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

was  threatened.  Greene,  now  all  obedience,  retreated 
and  joined  his  general  at  Newark.  Gen.  Lee,  your 
commander  here,  was  still  at  King's  Bridge  with  more 
than  seven  thousand  men.  Short  enlistments — that 
military  curse  still  upon  us — and  other  casualties  had 
reduced  the  army  now  west  of  the  Hudson  to  about 
three  thousand.  Lee  was  peremptorily  ordered  to  cross. 
Then,  as  now,  I  conveyed  the  order.8 

ALDEN — I  never  knew  of  such  command.  I  need 
not  ask  if  Lee  refused. 

STANDISH — He  refused  ;  he  still  refuses,  and  will  re- 
fuse to-day.  Washington  fell  back  from  Newark  as 
Cornwallis  came  in  and  bivouacked  at  New  Brunswick. 
Lee  still  disobeyed.'  Flushed  with  victory,  the  brothers 
Howe  scattered  wide  their  proclamations  of  pardon — a 
tempting  bait  to  men  so  sore  of  heart  as  ours  !  Even 
delegates  in  Congress  accepted  the  terms,  and  lesser 
men  by  thousands  went  trooping  to  British  power.  With 
his  army  dissolving  around  him  and  hope  blown  upon 
the  freezing  breath  of  winter,  it  was  Washington  alone 
who  could  say,  I  will  not  despair.10 

ALDEN — Will  the  world  ever  know  this  mighty  man  ; 
or  knowing,  will  it  appreciate  ? 

STANDISH — In  this  extremity,  Schuyler  sent  seven 
regiments  from  the  north  to  the  aid  of  our  distressed 

8  Earl   Cornwallis  then  took  command  in  New  Jersey.     His  first 
object  was  Fort  Lee.     Drop  after  drop  of  sorrow  was  falling  into  the 
cup  of  Washington.     On  November  17  he  gave  orders  to  Lee  to  join 
him  with  his  division,  but  the  orders  were  willfully  slighted.     In  the 
following  weeks  they  were  repeated  constantly,  mingled  with  en- 
treaty, and  were  always  disobeyed. — Bancroft. 

On  the  fall  of  Forts  Washington  and  Lee,  Washington  with  his 
little  army  of  about  three  thousand,  ill-armed,  worse  clad,  and  with- 
out tents,  blankets,  or  provisions,  commenced  a  disastrous  retreat 
through  New  Jersey. — Frost. 

9  At  New  Brunswick,  where  the  American  army  arrived  on  the 
evening  of  November  28,  it  found  short  repose.     Lee,  importuned 
sometimes  twice  a  day,  still  remained  east  of  the  Hudson. — Bancroft. 

10  All  this  while  Washington  was  forced  to  conceal  his  weakness 
and   bear  loads  of  censure  from  those  ignorant   of  his  condition. 
In  these  trials  he  said  to  Livingston,  "  I  will  not  despair." — Ban- 
croft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.  95 

commander.  To  the  aid  of  this  mighty  man,  as  you  call 
him — now  mighty  in  his  woe  !  On  December  i — this 
very  month  I  speak  of — how  dates  of  trial  fasten  upon 
one's  memory  as  with  fangs  of  steel — Cornwallis  still 
pushing  on,  Washington  left  New  Brunswick.  Then  he 
crossed  the  Delaware,  pleading  now  with  Lee,  since  orders 
failed.  Meantime  and  on  December  3, — for  I  would  be 
accurate  when  accusation  loads  my  speech, — this  lazy 
general,  this  Charles  Lee,  crossed  the  Hudson  and  ad- 
vanced to  where  we  this  moment  stand,  in  the  center  of 
New  Jersey.  Does  he  come  to  join  Washington  ?  God 
forgive  him,  for  I  never  will  !  He  has  come  to  inter- 
cept the  regiments  from  Schuyler.  By  virtue  of  his 
rank,  this  man  turns  them  to  his  own  command.  He 
has  se»t  an  officer  to  help  defend  Rhode  Island.  If 
sent  to  the  moon  he  would  be  as  serviceable  ;  and  he 
intends  to  follow  with  his 
stolen  soldiers."  George, 
have  I  made  good  my  words, 
that  this  man  is  a  villain  and 
a  traitor  to  the  land  we  fight  CF*Q 
for? 

ALDEN  —  So  well,  Dick, 
that  I  shall  seek  as  soon 
as  may  be,  other  service. 
With  him  I  cannot  remain. 

The  serpent  that  strikes  and  kills  were  a  more  honest 
friend,  since  it  gives  some  warning  of  its  intended  battle. 
Here  comes  the  General. 

11  On  the  1st  of  December,  just  as  Washington  was  leaving  New 
Brunswick,  he  renewed  his  urgency  with  Lee,  telling  him  Philadelphia, 
the  seat  of  Congress,  was  the  object  of  the  enemy.  Washington  crossed 
the  Delaware  with  Cornwallis  and  Howe  in  close  pursuit.  Washing- 
ington  from  here  entreated  Lee  to  join  him  ;  he  got  an  evasive  an- 
swer. Lee  was  impatient  to  gain  the  chief  command.  From  the  east 
of  the  Hudson  Lee  wrote  to  Rush:  "I  could  do  you  much  good 
might  I  but  dictate  one  week."  He  had  received  one  explicit  order 
and  another  peremptory  order  to  pass  into  New  Jersey.  He  [Lee] 
said,  "  These  orders  were  absolute  insanity."  He  said,  "  There  are 
times  when  we  must  consent  to  treason  against  the  laws  of  the  state 
for  the  salvation  of  the  state.  The  present  crisis  demands  this  brave, 
virtuous  kind  of  treason."  He  wrote  criticising  Washington  for  in- 


96  WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

Enter  GEN.  LEE  in  morning  gown  and  slippers. 

LEE  \to  STANDISH] — Inclosed  is  my  answer  to  Gen. 
Washington.  How  is  the  General  ?  Across  New  Jer- 
sey he  seemed  light  of  foot.  One  might  say  he  were  a 
fugitive  from  closely  pressing  powers. 

STANDISH — If  he  were  light  of  foot,  it  was  to  hurry  to 
that  desired  goal  which  ends  our  trials.  There  are  some 
who  are  slow  of  foot  on  this  very  mission. 

LEE— Give  my  considerations  to  the  General. 

STANDISH — Thanks.  He  will  doubtless  be  overjoyed 
thereat.  [STANDISH  retires. 

LEE  [to  ALDEN] — What  meant  the  Captain  that  some 
were  slow  of  foot  ? 

ALDEN — Through  these  drifting  snows  it  is  nearer 
truth  to  say  "  slow  of  foot."  Thus  I  took  him. 

LEE — A  shrewd  interpretation,  and,  as  I  guess,  a  just 
one.  [ALDEN  retiresl\  The  alluring  promise  of  my 
scheme  for  a  separate  command  overtops  my  hopes.  If 
the  supreme  command  should  quickly  follow,  then  my 
end  is  gained.14  This  revolt  were  throttled  here,  if 
England  held  forth  the  offer  of  deserved  rank  within  her 
armies.  At  the  head  of  this  uprising,  I  could  compel 
this  offer  as  the  price  of  peace.  What  to  me  is  indepen- 
dence— the  end  and  all  of  these  Confederate  braggarts — 
but  a  means  to  help  my  purpose  ?  Charles  Lee,  late  of 
European  legions,  now  serves  Charles  Lee  of  the  Con- 
tinenal  Army,  and  gives  to  empty  air  the  sham  of 
deeper  feeling.  John  Adams — whose  honesty  in  this 
strife  gives  weight  to  counsel — favors  me  as  the  mili- 
tary head  that  should  be."  A  powerful  support !  So 

decision.  "  Indecision  is  a  much  greater  disqualification  than  stu- 
pidity or  want  of  courage,"  he  said,  referring  to  Washington.  On 
December  3  Lee  crossed  the  Hudson,  but  not  to  join  Washington. 
To  the  center  of  New  Jersey  he  marched,  and  there  incorporated  into 
his  own  command  three  thousand  men  whom  Schuyler  had  sent  from 
the  northern  army  to  the  relief  of  Washington. — Bancroft. 

15  Lee  was  planning  for  the  chief  command.     See  Note  n. 

'"John  Adams  was  ever  ready  to  belittle  Washington  and  exalt  this 
Lee. 


WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION.          97 

do  shrewd  men  often  thrive  by  aid  of  dullards,  too 
shallow  to  comprehend.  Greene  and  Gates  are  partial. 
Washington  commands  me  to  join  him.  Rush,  since  I 
have  told  him  this,  knows  that  I  will  not  do  so.14  Shall 
I,  once  of  high  estate  in  the  army  of  a  king,  consent  at 
last  to  follow  the  commands  of  this  surveyor  of  sheep- 
browsed  hills?  His  cheap  and  hungry  followers— the 
spawn  of  England's  refuse  population  driven  to  these 
shores — I  despise,  as  I  do  him.15  Yet,  it  serves  me  well 
still  further  to  dissemble.  I  have  here  cut  off  and  taken 
to  myself,  three  thousand  soldiers  which  the  gentle- 
mannered  Schuyler  sent  to  him  from  the  North.  This 
further  cripples  him  and  strengthens  me.  So  may  it 
be!  While  Congress,  or  its  leading  spirits,  remain  my 
approving  friends,  Washington  may  plead  and  fret  and 
fail.  He  stands  in  my  way.  Then  let  him  fail. 

[CAPT.  ALDEN  rushes  in,  greatly  alarmed. 

ALDEN — The  cavalry !  the  British  cavalry  are  upon 
us  !  Away,  General,  away,  and  save  yourself." 

LEE  [also  in  great  alarm] — Heaven  help  us  !  Where 
can  I  go  ?  The  house  is  surrounded  !  [Looking  from 
the  window.]  We  are  prisoners  ! 

\Thundering  noises  are  heard  at  the  room  doors. 
They  are  burst  open,  and  British  troopers  rush 
in  from  each  side  of  the  rooms. 

"From  Morristown  he  [Lee]  announced  to  Rush  "  that  it  was  not 
his  intention  to  join  the  army  of  Washington." — Bancroft. 

15  Lee  had  not  one  talent  of  a  commander.  He  affected  to  look 
down  upon  his  associates  in  the  American  army  as  "  very  bad  com- 
pany." His  alienation  from  Great  Britain  was  petulance  for  being 
neglected.  He  esteemed  the  people  he  then  served  [Americans]  un- 
worthy of  a  place  among  the  nations. — Bancroft. 

'*On  December  13,  while  at  Baskingridge,  in  the  morning  he 
wrote  to  Gen.  Gates  saying,  "A  certain  great  man  [Washington]  is 
most  damnably  deficient."  Before  he  had  folded  the  letter  Wilkin- 
son at  the  window  cried  out,  "  Here  are  the  British  cavalry."  An 
English  lieutenant  with  dragoons  had  surrounded  his  house.  He 
was  ordered  to  come  forth.  He  came  out  pale  from  fear,  unarmed, 
bareheaded,  without  a  cloak,  in  slippers,  etc.,  and  entreated  the 
dragoons  to  spare  his  life.  They  seized  him  just  as  he  was,  placed 
him  on  a  horse,  and  within  four  minutes  of  their  coming  were  off 
with  him,  together  with  his  aid. — Bancroft. 


98 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


BRITISH  CAPTAIN — You  are  prisoners.  [Flourishing 
his  sword.]  Do  you  surrender  ? 

LEE — Yes,  we  surrender.  I  have  not  my  sword.  Shall 
I  get  my  sword  ?  I  will  secure  it  for  you. 

[ Afove s  off  as  if  to  leave  the  room. 

BRITISH  CAPTAIN  [stepping  in  front  of  LEE] — Never 
mind  the  sword.  We  want  you.  Gen.  Howe  will  be 
glad  to  see  you. 

LEE — Shall  I  dress  to  go  with  you  ?  I  will  prepare 
myself.  [Again  moves  to  leave  the  room. 

BRITISH  CAPTAIN  [still  bars  his  exit] — We  run  no 
risks,  General.  You  will  not  pass. 

LEE  [rubbing  his  hands  in 
abject  submission] — Gentle- 
men, spare  my  life  !  Spare 
my  life  !  I  trust  you  will 
do  me  no  harm.  I  entreat 
you,  gentlemen,  as  soldiers 
of  the  King,  of  my  King 
—do  you  mark  me?  of 

my  Ki»g-  whom  i  have 

much  offended — let  me 
live  !  I  have  been  drawn 
into  this — this  most  fool- 
ish revolt.  I  will  explain 
to  Gen.  Howe.  I  know 
him  well.  We  have  fought 
as  comrades  together  ;  a 
good  and  valiant  man.  I  will  explain  to  him. 

BRITISH  CAPTAIN — Then  do  so  when  you  may.  Sol- 
diers, secure  your  prisoners! 

[Soldiers  advance  and  bind  both   GEN.   LEE   and 

ALDEN. 

LEE — Oh  !  oh  !  [Cringing  and  entreating.]  This  is  so 
wrong,  so  wrong  to  treat  a  general  thus.  But,  save  me, 
Captain  !  Save  me  from  violence  !  I  will  make  amends 
for  what  I  have  done.  I  will  !  I  will  ! 

BRITISH  CAPTAIN — To  horse  with  both  the  prisoners 
and  away  !  To  horse  !  To  horse  !  [All  retire. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          99 

SCENE  V.  Tent  of  WASHINGTON,  in  camp  of  Continental 
Army,  west  side  of  the  Delaware.  Time  :  Christmas 
Day,  1776. 

Enter  GENS.  GREENE,  STARK,  MERCER,  SULLIVAN,  and 

KNOX. 

SULLIVAN — It  is  five  days  since  I  brought  into  camp 
the  men  of  Lee.1  The  great  enterprise  of  this  hour  has 
been  thus  long  delayed,  that  these  men  might  rally  from 
hunger  and  frozen  limbs. 

MERCER — It  is  a  Christmas  blessing  that  you  are  with 
us  now,  succeeding  Lee  when  captured. 

STARK — On  the  same  day,  Sullivan,  that  you  came  in, 
Gates  brought  five  hundred  good  New  Englanders, 
whom,  in  his  absence,  I  now  command.  Were  I  super- 
stitious, I  should  say  our  conjunction  here,  at  the  very 
point  of  such  distress,  means  much  that  is  beyond  us. 

KNOX — On  this  holy  day,  may  the  result  of  work  laid 
out  to  do  confirm  your  thoughts. 

GREENE — I  am  permitted,  gentlemen,  to  detail  this 
work.  The  General-in-Chief  would  revive  the  hopes  of 
patriots,  and  stay  the  unseemly  rush  for  British  pardons, 
by  a  blow  at  Trenton.  The  enemy  there,  as  elsewhere, 
season  their  coming  with  cruelty  most  unnatural.  Plun- 
der rules  the  hour,  and  opposition  invites  to  sudden 
death  without  a  trial.  So  runs  the  law  as  these  Hessians 
make  it.4 

MERCER — This  sword  shall  help  to  change  this  law,  or 
I  will  fall  its  victim. 

GREENE — Nobly  said,  good  Mercer !  The  plan  for 
assault  stands  thus  :  Maxwell  from  Morristown  will  dis- 

1  On  December  20  Gen.  Sullivan  arrived  in  the  camp  of  Washing- 
ton on  the  Delaware  with  the  troops  which  Lee  had  commanded. 
The  capture  of  Lee,  December  13,  gave  Sullivan  the  command.  But 
they  were  in  a  miserable  plight. — Irving. 

8  By  orders  of  Count  Donop  [Hessian  commander  near  Trenton] 
the  inhabitants  who  should  fire  upon  any  of  the  army  were  to  be 
hanged  upon  the  nearest  tree  without  further  process.  Provisions 
were  seized  alike  from  Whig  and  Tory.  Life  and  property  were  at 
the  mercy  of  the  foreign  hirelings. — Bancroft. 


too      WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION. 

tress  the  enemy ;  Griffin,  on  his  other  side,  will  worry 
him  from  Mount  Holly,  assail  Donop  at  Burlington,  and 
hold  him  there.  Ewing,  with  five  hundred,  will  cross 
the  Delaware  at  Trenton,  and  so  assail  him.  Putnam 
will  do  the  same,  leading  a  force  from  Philadelphia,  since 
Congress,  some  days  since  removed  to  Baltimore,  re- 
leases his  hand — a  hand  of  iron  when  it  strikes  the  foe. 
Gen.  Gates,  two  thousand  strong,  will  cross  from  Bristol. 
The  main  attack  will  be  made  by  Washington,  with  us  to 
aid  him.3  To-night  these  plans,  thus  working  in  each 
direction,  must  distract  the  enemy  and  give  him  to  us  a 
prisoner. 

SULLIVAN — My  blood  is  already  up  for  action,  and 
tedious  will  be  the  minutes  that  run  before  this  blow. 
Who  but  our  great  commander  could  have  arranged  a 
game  in  war,  for  us  so  certain  when  played  as  planned  ? 

Enter  WASHINGTON  in  excitement,  holding  dispatches  in 
his  hand. 

WASHINGTON — Gentlemen,  I  beg  you,  pardon  me,  but 
I  am  sorely  tried.  The  bitterest  curse  I  could  wish  my 
enemy  would  be  to  have  him  fill  my  position.4 

SULLIVAN — General,  our  swords  are  ready  to  redress 
any  wrong  to  you. 

WASHINGTON — Have  my  plans  been  submitted  to  this 
council? 

GREENE — Yes,  in  every  detail,  and  all  approved. 

WASHINGTON — Would  it  were  so  with  others  upon 
whom  I  have  depended  !  These  dispatches  \lie  runs 
them  over\  Gates  disapproves  wholly,  and  has  left  his 
post  at  Bristol.  Griffin,  flying  before  Donop,  has  left 
the  Jersey  shore.  Ewing  will  not  attempt  to  cross  the 
river  in  this  storm  ;  and  Putnam — you,  too,  Putnam, 

8  The  arrangements  for  the  assault  upon  Trenton,  as  made  by 
Wnshington.  were  substantially  as  stated  in  this  scene  by  Gen.  Greene. 
It  is  from  Bancroft. 

4  Washington,  before  White  Plains,  had  said  :  "  Such  is  my  situa- 
tion that,  if  I  were  to  wish  the  bitterest  curse  to  an  enemy  on  this  side 
of  the  grave,  I  should  put  him  in  my  stead." — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          IOI 

must  I  record  you  with  the  rest  ? — he  would  not  think 
of  it.6 

[WASHINGTON  sinks  back  into  a  c/iair,  and  ewers 

his  eyes  with  his  hand. 
KNOX — This  is  a  heavy  disappointment. 

SULLIVAN — Men  cower  before  this  war  of  the  winds 
whom  bullets  could  not  scare.  General,  what  shall 
we  do  ? 

WASHINGTON  \rising  from  his  chair,  and  with  vehe- 
mence]— Do  !  Do  !  What  shall  we  do  ?  I  shall  go  to 
this  assault,  if  I  have  to  go  alone  !  It  is  a  dire  neces- 
sity.' Without  it,  this  war  is  ended  and  our  country 
lost.  We  will  cross  the  Delaware  to-night — to-night,  I 
say ! — and,  before  the  morning's  sun,  smite  the  enemy. 
The  storm,  this  tempest,  the  river  of  running  ice — they 
are  all  to  us  the  blessed  weapons  of  offense,  since  they 
lure  the  foe"  to  his  rest  and  ruin.  Who  will  not  dive  shall 
not  gain  the  coral.  What  means  this  fury  of  the  ele- 
ments, if  not  a  shield  to  cover  us  in  our  work  ?  Oh  ! 
the  greater  storm,  that  surges  here  within,  makes  that 
without  mere  sunshine.  I  wish  that  others,  for  a  few 
hours  only,  could  feel  as  I  do  !  Generals,  I  am  resolved 
to  go  forward.  We  have  here  twenty-four  hundred  men. 
At  Mackonkey's  ferry,  this  night,  we  can  reach  the  other 
side  ;  we  will  do  so,  since  we  so  resolve,  and  by  daylight 
raise  our  flag  in  Trenton.  Have  I  your  approval  ? 

GENERALS  [all  in  unison] — You  have  !  you  have  ! 

5  The  day  for  the  attack  arrived,  and  Washington  was  abandoned. 
Gates 'willfully  turned  his  back  on  danger,  duty,  and  honor.  Eager 
to  intrigue  with  Congress  at  Baltimore  for  chief  command  of  the 
Northern  Army,  Gates  rode  away  from  Bristol ;  Griffin,  flying  be- 
fore Donop,  had  abandoned  New  Jersey.  Putnam  would  not  think  of 
crossing  the  river.  Cadwallader  [succeeding  Gates]  sent  word  to 
Washington  it  was  impossible  to  cross.  Ewing  did  not  even  make 
the  attempt. — Bancroft. 

8  Washington  answered  Cadwallader  "that  notwithstanding  the 
discouraging  accounts  [these  failures  came  to  Washington  about  the 
time  his  force  was  to  move],  I  am  determined  to  cross  the  river  and 
make  the  attack  on  Trenton  in  the  morning."  "  Our  numbers  are 
less  than  I  supposed,"  said  Washington,  "  but  necessity,  dire  neces- 
sity, must  justify  an  attack." — Bancroft. 


102         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

WASHINGTON  [drawing  his  sword  and  raising  it  in 
air] — Then  pledge  me  with  your  swords. 

[Generals  all  cross  his  sword  with  theirs. 

SULLIVAN — Wherever  our  commander  leads,  we  fol- 
low ! 

WASHINGTON — I  am  satisfied,  for  I  know  the  metal  of 


these  blades.  Each  one  to  his  command,  and  be  pre- 
pared at  three  o'clock  to  march.  Good  angels,  aid  us  as 
our  cause  deserves  !  v  [All  retire. 


SCENE  VI.  Trenton.  Headquarters  of  COL.  RALL,  Com- 
mander of  the  Hessians.  Time :  midnight,  Christmas, 
1776. 

Enter  COL.  RALL,  with  three  OFFICERS. 

COL.  RALL  [partly  intoxicated] — Come,  seat  yourselves, 
and  let  us  have  another  round.  It  would  never  do  to 
let  Christmas  go  without  a  final  bumper.  The  wine  is 
ordered.1  [Enter  a  servant  with  decanter  and  glasses]  I 
have  run  three  days  of  revelry,  and  need  repairs.  But 
one  more  glass,  and  then  to  bed.  [They  all  Jill  glasses.] 
Here's  to  home  and  swift  promotion  !  [All  drink  with  a 
huzza] 

1  Col.  Rail  [commanding  the  Hessians  at  Trenton]  till  late  into  the 
night  sat  by  his  warm  fire,  while  Washington  was  crossing  the  Dela- 
ware . — Ba  ncroft. 

Col.  Rail,  when  urged  to  guard  against  surprise,  said  :  "  Let  them 
come  ;  we  will  receive  them  with  the  bayonet."  "  It  is  not  necessary 
to  intrench.  The  rebels  are  a  bad  set."  It  was  Christmas  Eve, 
dark  and  stormy  ;  Rail  went  to  an  entertainment.  The  night  before 
the  attack  [Christmas  night]  Rail  had  been  carousing. —  I'on  Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          **>$ 

OFFICER — That  was  a  pleasant  toast. 

COL.  RALL — And  a  just  one.  This  war  is  closed.  The 
end  has  been  won  by  our  arms — we,  of  Hesse-Cassel. 
Then  we  should  wear  the  laurels  with  new  straps  upon 
our  shoulders.  Cornwallis  is  in  New  York,  and  has  left 
this  command  to  me.  He  goes  soon  to  London.  Howe 
is  to  be  made  a  Knight  of  the  Bath.  To-night  the 
army,  in  grand  carousals,  make  New  York  a  bedlam. 
All  are  looking  to  the  King  for  a  reward.  Must  we  be 
forgotten  ?  No,  no  !  I  tell  you,  no !  [  Thumps  the 
table.] 

OFFICERS  [all  in  unisoti\ — No,  no  ! 

Enter  ORDERLY  and  whispers  to  COL.  RALL. 

COL.  RALL — Show  them  in.  No  secrets  here  !  Show 
them  in.  [ORDERLY  retires. 

Enter  two  COUNTRYMEN,  who  bow  to  COL.  RALL. 

COL.  RALL — I  am  Col.  Rail.  Speak,  if  you  have  any- 
thing to  say. 

FIRST  COUNTRYMAN — We  live  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Delaware.  We  are  loyal  to  the  King,  and  hate  his  ene- 
mies. We  have  come  to  tell  you  that  Washington  and 
his  army  are  this  night  crossing  the  river  to  attack  this 
town.3 

COL.  RALL — Good  news  !  good  news,  this  !  for  then  we 
shall  take  him  prisoner,  with  his  wretched  followers. 
They  are  a  bad  set.  But  they  won't  come  here.  You 
croak  to  me  false  statements.  They  won't  come  here. 
They  will  keep  far  from  Col.  Rail. 

SECOND  COUNTRYMAN — But,  Colonel,  they  are  now 
crossing,  and  we  have  learned  the  intention 

COL.  RALL — Did  you  see  them  at  the  river  ? 

FIRST  COUNTRYMAN — No,  we  did  not  see  them  there, 
but  we  know  that  was  the  route. 

"  Rail  received  warning.  Shortly  before  the  26th  of  December  two 
American  deserters  came  in  and  reported  that  Washington  was  about 
to  cross  the  Delaware  to  attack  Trenton. —  Von  Eelkinr. 


104         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

COL.  RALL — How  do  you  know  so  much  ? 

SECOND  COUNTRYMAN — We  tracked  them.  We  went 
over  a  part  of  the  march. 

COL.  RALL — How  could  you  track  them  in  this  falling 
and  shifting  snow?  Tracks  would  be  swept  away  in 
minutes.  If  you  come  to  deceive  us,  we  will  have  you 


punished.  Beware  that  you  bring  no  lies  to  these  head- 
quarters. 

FIRST  COUNTRYMAN — We  tracked  them  by  their 
blood-stained  footsteps,  over  ice  and  frozen  ground.8 

COL.  RALL  [loudly  laughing,  the  other  officers  joining] — 
And  you  fear  lest  such  beggars  as  these,  who  spend 
their  blood  upon  their  march,  shall  at  last  conquer  us 
with  their  skeletons  ?  If  they  come,  we'll  meet  them 
with  the  bayonet  and  toss  their  bare  bones  into  yonder 
snow-drifts.  You  have  done  well  to  come,  and  so  be 
thanked.  You  may  go.  [T/ic  COUNTRYMEN  retire. 

COL.  RALL — Gentlemen,  we  will  now  to  bed,  and  a 
good  sleep  to  all  in  spite  of  Washington  and  his  bleed- 
ing tramps.  [All  retire. 

'  Wilkinson  [aid  to  Gates],  who  joined  Washington's  troops  before 
the  crossing,  said  "  he  traced  the  route  easily  by  the  blood  on  the 
snow  from  the  feet  of  the  men  who  wore  broken  shoes. " — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          105 

SCENE  VII.   Trenton.     A  street.     A  snow  storm.     Time: 
day -break,  December  26,  1776. 

WASHINGTON,    with    drawn   sword,   enters,  soldiers  fol- 
lowing. 

WASHINGTON — So  far  all  is  well.  The  pickets  have 
been  surprised,  and  fortune  favors  us.  Sullivan  and 
Stark,  two  props  that  never  fail,  may  you  be  faithful 
now  !  Men,  there  form  the  enemy  :  with  the  bayonet 
charge ! ' 

[WASHINGTON  and  his  troop  rush  off  the  stage. 

Enter  GEN.  SULLIVAN,  with  soldiers. 

SULLIVAN — On  every  side  we  have  pressed  them  back. 
The  Colonel  of  these  Hessians  fights  with  the  courage  of 
despair  ;  but  he  is  surrounded  and  must  yield.  Soldiers, 
once  more  into  the  fray  ! 

[GEN.  SULLIVAN  and  his  troops  rush  off  the  stage. 

Enter  COL.  RALL  alone,  with  drawn  sword. 

COL.  RALL — The  air  is  as  full  of  bullets  as  of  flakes 
of  snow.  The  artillery  is  silenced,  and  the  guns  of  my 
brave  Hessians  are  wet  and  useless.  Oh  !  for  an  hour 
of  Donop.  If  I  could  but  reach  him  !  These  men  fight 
like  fiends,  and  from  their  hidings  their  shots  strike  as 
they  will.  No  matter,  my  brave  grenadiers  shall  redeem 
the  day.3  [CoL.  RALL  rushes  off  the  stage. 

Enter  WASHINGTON  and  GREENE,  with  soldiers  and  aids. 
WASHINGTON — Where  is  Gen.  Stark  ?     Is  he  safe  ? 
GREENE — He  and  all  are  safe.      The  Hessians  are 

1  Washington  entered  the  town  by  King  Street,  Sullivan  by  the 
river  road.  Sullivan  reported  to  Washington  that  the  arms  of  his 
party  were  wet.  "Then  tell  Gen.  Sullivan  to  use  the  bayonet," 
said  Washington. — Bancroft. 

*  The  Hessians  could  do  nothing  with  the  bayonet,  for  there  was 
no  enemy  in  sight.  The  deadly  bullets  came  from  the  riflemen  be- 
hind walls,  trees,  doors,  and  covers.  It  rained  balls.  The  guns  of 
the  Hessians  were  wet  and  useless.  Their  artillery,  too,  was  un- 
lucky. Rail  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  crying,  "  My 
grenadiers,  forward  !  " — VonEelking. 


106         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

overwhelmed,  and  their  dead  strew  the  ground.     On  our 
side  not  a  man  has  fallen.8 

Enter  MERCER  and  KNOX  hurriedly. 

MERCER — I  seek  our  General.  [To  WASHINGTON.] 
The  Hessians  surrender  and  Rail  is  lost.  Wounded  and 
falling  from  his  horse,  he  is  still  alive,  though  his  hurt  is 
mortal. 

WASHINGTON — Let  our  firing  cease.  Knox,  will  you 
quickly  give  such  orders  ?  [KNOX  retires. 

Enter  COL.  RALL,  supported,  but  in  dying  condition. 

COL.  RALL  [to  WASHINGTON] — To  you  I  give  my 
sword,  won  as  a  soldier  should  ever  wish,  by  valorous 
deeds.  My  army  are  your  prisoners.4  [WASHINGTON 
receives  his  swordJ\  I  beg  of  you,  sir,  with  the  breath 
of  a  dying  man,  that  you  will  be  kind  to  those  now  in 
your  keeping  through  the  chance  of  war.6 

WASHINGTON — I  am  much  distressed  at  your  misfor- 
tune. I  grant  your  wish.  [To  an  aid.]  See  that  Col. 
Rail  is  conveyed  as  gently  as  possible  to  proper  shelter, 
and  there  granted  the  tenderest  care.'  • 

COL.  RALL — I  thank  you,  General. 

[CoL.  RALL  goes  off,  assisted  by  soldiers. 

WASHINGTON  [handing  RALL'S  sword  to  an  aid~\ — 
Guard  this  with  care.  It  is  a  brave  man's  relic.  Gen. 
Mercer,  will  you  see  that  the  prisoners  and  stores  are 
made  ready  to  transport  across  the  Delaware  ?7  Corn- 

1  The  action,  in  which  the  Americans  lost  not  one  man,  lasted 
thirty  minutes. — Bancroft. 

*  Rail  paid  with  his  life  the  penalty  of  his  carelessness.    Wounded, 
he  fell  from  his  horse.      Two  non-commissioned  officers  raised  and 
supported  him  to  Washington.     Pale  and  covered  with  blood,  Rail 
surrendered  his  sword. —  Von  Eelking. 

6  In  a  few  broken  words  he  begged  Washington  to  be  kind  to  his 
men,  and  Washington  promised  that  he  would,  and  in  a  friendly  way 
tried  to  console  him. —  Von  Eelking. 

•  Washington  had  the  dying  man  carried  to  the  house  of  a  well-to- 
do  Quaker  family,  and  committed  him  to  their  care.     Col.  Rail  died 
the  same  evening. —  Von  Eelking. 

7  Washington  rode  up  after  the  surrender,  and  after  a  few  kind  words 
ordered  the  troops  to  be  escorted  across  the  Delaware. —  Von  Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE   REVOLUTION.         107 

wallis  will  be  upon  us  soon,  and  he  should  not  find  us 
here  burdened  with  our  trophies.  [MERCER  retires. 

WASHINGTON — And  now,  I  trust,  turns  the  tide  so 
steadily  set  against  us.  Back  to  camp  and  then  for 
Princeton.  [All  retire. 


SCENE  VIII.    Trenton.     Another  street  in  suburb  on  north 
bank  of  A  ssanpink  River.     Time:  January  2,  1777. 

Enter  CORN  WALLIS  and  two  AIDS. 

CORNWALLIS — Here  we  are  in  Trenton,  and  at  a  time 
when  I  had  hoped  to  be  upon  the  sea.  Seven  days  ago 
Rail,  upon  this  spot,  paid 
with  his  life  the  price  of 
negligence.  The  new  year 
is  but  two  days  old,  and 
before  the  third  is  spent  we 
must  repair  this  damage.1 

FIRST  AID — Across  this 
river  Washington  awaits 
us.  On  this  side,  with  a 
force  of  five  thousand 
veterans  in  hot  pursuit, 
he  cannot  now  escape.  He  has  not  three  thousand. 

CORNWALLIS — What  is  this  stream  which  divides  us 
here  ? 

SECOND  AID — It  is  called  the  Assanpink.2 

CORNWALLIS — The  day  is  nearly  spent  and  our  army 
tired,  so  we  will  rest  here  to-night.  To-morrow,  at  sun- 
rise, advance  and  bag  the  game.  Meantime  be  his  camp 


'On  the  2d  of  January,  1777,  Cornwallis,  leaving  three  regiments 
at  Princeton,  advanced  upon  the  Americans  at  Trenton  with  the 
flower  of  the  British  army,  just  as  Washington  expected. — Bancroft. 

2  In  the  afternoon  of  January  2  the  army  of  Washington  had  safely 
crossed  the  Assanpink,  which  the  British  could  not  cross  without  a 
battle. — Bancroft. 


lo8         WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

closely   watched   lest  the    entrapped  stealthily    moves 
away.'  [All  retire. 

Enter  WASHINGTON  and  PUTNAM,  on  south  bank  of  Assan- 
pink  River. 

PUTNAM — That  we  have  an  army  to-day  is  because 
you  have  pledged  your  private  fortune  to  pay  the  men, 
and  thus  have  held  them  into  the  new  year.4 

WASHINGTON— I  count  that  as  nothing  if  we  but 
cripple  the  invader.  Now  is  the  time  to  clip  his  wings, 
since  across  New  Jersey  he  spreads  them  so.  He  will 
not  soar  so  high,  nor  swoop  so  deadly,  if  we  repeat  in 
Princeton  what  we  did  here  one  week  ago.6 

PUTNAM — On  this  river  we  may  defy  him.  He  cannot 
cross  it,  our  riflemen  opposed. 

WASHINGTON — We  dare  not  risk  this  battle.  Again 
strategy  must  aid,  and  to  you,  General,  I  will  now 
divulge  my  plan.  Mercer  already  knows  it. 

PUTNAM — I  am  all  eagerness  to  hear. 

WASHINGTON — As  I  foresaw,  since  great  anxiety  peers 
into  the  future  with  keenest  vision,  Lord  Cornwallis  has 
come  upon  us  with  a  weighty  army.  He  now  lies  en- 
camped upon  the  other  bank,  whence  flame  his  angry 
fires,  and  doubtless  dreams  of  victory  with  the  morning's 
sun  ;  and  of  the  end  and  home.  We  know  the  country 
and  its  roads.  This  knowledge  should  be  to  us  a  power, 
so  we  use  it  skillfully.  Have  all  our  camp  made  bright 
and  burning,  and  kept  so,  as  if  we,  too,  strove  in  honest 

J Cornwallis  coming  up  on  the  opposite  bank,  his  lordship  retired 
to  rest  with  the  sportsman's  vaunt,  "We  will  bag  the  fox  in  the 
morning."  Meantime  a  night  watch  was  set  upon  Washington's 
army. — Irving. 

4  The  term  of  enlistments  of  some  of  Washington's  troops  expired 
with  ihe  New  Year's  Day.  The  paymaster  was  out  of  money,  and 
public  credit  was  exhausted.  Washington  pledged  his  own  fortune 
to  these  men,  if  they  would  stay  six  weeks  longer,  and  they  stayed. — 
Bancroft. 

*"  Now,"  said  Washington,  "  is  the  time  to  clip  their  [British] 
wings,  when  they  are  so  spread." — Frost. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


109 


rivalry  to  illumine  the  hours  to  a  hopeful  dawn.  At 
midnight  put  our  army  in  motion — the  lights  left  glim- 
mering along  our  lines — and,  passing  round  his  lordship, 


we  will  strive  at  daylight  to  deal  a  telling  blow  at  Prince- 
ton ;  and  this  before  he  shakes  off  his  lazy  slumber  here.' 
PUTNAM — A    plan  easy   of  execution.     I   rejoice  to 
have  a  part  to  do.  [All  retire. 


SCENE   IX.  A    road  near   Princeton.       Time :    daylight, 
January  3,  1777. 

Enter  WASHINGTON  and  AID,  with  soldiers. 

WASHINGTON — We  have  struck  the  rear  of  the  British 
line,  already  on  the  march  to  Trenton  to  join  Cornwallis. 
He  may  return  upon  us.  His  strength  I  do  not  know, 
but  I  am  hopeful.1  [To  his  AID.]  Where  is  Mercer  ? 

'While  the  British  slept,  it  was  not  so  with  Washington.  He 
knew  the  byways  leading  out  of  the  place.  Soon  after  midnight, 
sending  word  to  Putnam  to  occupy  Crosswicks,  Washington  marched 
his  army  into  the  road  to  Princeton.  The  American  campfires  flamed 
along  the  Assanpink,  and  the  drowsy  British  surmised  nothing. — 
Bancroft. 

1  When  Washington  reached  Princeton,  at  daylight,  January  3,  two 
regiments  had  already  passed  on  the  way  to  join  Cornwallis  at  Trenton. 
— Bancroft. 


no          WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

AID — He  is  to  the  west,  as  ordered,  to  destroy  the 
bridge  over  Stony  Brook. 

WASHINGTON — Surely  he  is  too  late  ;  for  these  re-en- 
forcements, which  we  would  have  stopped,  have  already 
passed.  Yet,  he  will  do  whatever  man  can  do.a  [Artil- 
lery heard  at  a  distance.}  Whose  cannon  these  ?  Listen  ! 
There  comes  the  roar  again.  It  is  a  call  to  us  that  Mer- 
cer is  engaged,  and  needs  us.  So  far,  we  have  had  our 
way.  Soldiers,  to  the  sound  of  Mercer's  guns  !  March  ! 

[All  retire. 
GEN.  MERCER,  with  drawn  sword  and  with  soldiers,  rushes 

upon  the  stage. 

MERCER — To  the  front,  brave  men,  and  the  fight  is 
ours  !  The  British  are  coming  with  the  bayonet.  Give 
them  the  rifle  in  return.  They  have  had  it  to-day 
already. 

[Before  the  volley  is  delivered,  enter  the  British,  who 
charge  with  the  bayonet.  MERCER'S  troops, 
having  no  bayonets,  retire.  In  the  fighting, 
MERCER  falls  from  bayonet  wounds.  Musketry 
is  heard  in  the  distance.  WASHINGTON,  with 
a  force,  then  rushes  on,  and,  after  some  fighting 
with  sword  and  bayonet,  the  British  give  way 
and  retire. 

Enter  AID. 

AID  \to  WASHINGTON] — The  enemy,  overwhelmed  by 
the  deadly  fire  of  Gen.  Hitchcock,  throw  down  their 
arms  and  yield  as  prisoners. 

*  Mercer,  at  Princeton,  was  sent  to  the  west  to  destroy  the  bridge 
over  Stony  Brook,  and  to  cut  off  these  regiments.  He  was  too  late  ; 
and  these  regiments,  discovering  Americans  in  their  rear,  returned  to 
attack.  Washington,  hearing  the  sound  of  Mercer's  cannon,  marched 
to  his  aid.  But  meantime  the  British  had  charged  Mercer  with  the 
bayonet.  Mercer's  troops,  having  no  bayonets,  being  riflemen,  gave 
way.  Just  then  Washington  came  upon  the  ground  and,  in  despera- 
tion, rode  up  to  within  thirty  yards  of  the  British  line.  Each  line 
gave  a  volley.  Gen.  Hitchcock  then  brought  up  his  brigade,  and  the 
British  fled.  The  action,  from  first  to  last,  lasted  twenty  minutes. 
The  British  lost  200  killed  and  250  prisoners.  The  great  loss  of 
the  Americans  was  the  death  of  Gen.  Mercet  who  was  killed  in  the 
bayonet  charge. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         in 

WASHINGTON — Then  the  day  is  our  own.  Hitchcock, 
with  New  England's  hearts  of  oak,  came  up  just  in 
time.  Cornwallis  will  return.  But  he  must  not  find  us. 
\To  AID.]  Take  orders  to  Gen.  Putnam  to  secure  the 
prisoners  and  guns.  [Am  retires. — Bending  over  the 
body  of  MERCER.]  And  thus  a  heavy  grief  comes  in  to 
swallow  up  our  joy !  It  so  often  happens,  on  this  weary 
round  of  life,  that  happiness,  within  the  self-same  hour 
won,  is  changed  to  infelicity  ;  and  in  the  very  zenith  of 
exultation,  envious  Fortune,  coming  with  rapid  steps,  to 
our  unwilling  lips  presses  the  cup  of  bitterness.  Thus, 
now,  is  pricked  the  bubble  of  our  pleasure.  The  foe 
yield.  What  counts  this  to  lighten  heavy  hearts,  since 
Mercer  lies  here,  dead  ? 8  Farewell,  brave  man  !  Let 
the  muffled  drum  be  the  only  music  till  he  receives  an 
honored  sepulcher.  [Rising.]  And  then  to  Morristown, 
to  winter  quarters,  and  a  well-earned  rest  ! 

1  Mercer  was  unconscious  upon  the  field  and  apparently  dead. 
Mortally  wounded,  he  died  nine  days  after. 


CURTAIN. 


END    OF    ACT    III. 


ACT  IV. 

SCENE  I.  Room  of  COUNT  DE  VERGENNES,  Minister  of 
KING  Louis  XVI.,  in  Royal  Palace,  at  Versailles, 
France.  Time:  February,  1777. 

COUNT  DE  VERGENNES,  Minister   of  Foreign   Affairs, 
seated  at  a  table. 

VERGENNES — Since  the  English  Henry  was  at  Agin- 
court  no  time  has  been  more  auspicious  to  amend  that 
history.  The  New  World  passed  from  our  grasp  at 
Quebec,  and  again  the  Briton  beat  us  down.  France 
can  now  revel  in  a  revenge  that  cancels  ages  of  humilia- 
tion. Before  me  Choiseul  saw  the  future  as  I  do  now 
and  humored  this  revolt.  To  follow  him  is  wisdom.1 
Strike  from  England  these  Colonies,  and  she  no  longer 
threatens  as  the  Colossus  she  hopes  to  be.  Spain  would 
have  France  do  the  deed  of  injury,  but  to  share  in  it 
she  dares  not.8  Nor  is  it  policy  that  France  too  greedily 
advances  to  opportunity.  Diplomacy  shall  hide  the  hand 
of  mail,  and  that  extend  which  is  loaded  with  good  inten- 
tions. The  British  Embassador  suspects  our  purpose — 
but  filmy  suspicion,  with  no  solid  proof  supporting — the 
shadow,  and  not  the  knowledge  of  open  act,  is  thus  far 
his  possession.  Hence  Lord  Stormont  storms  in  vain.* 

Enter  Louis  XVI.,  King  of  France. 
Heaven   grant  that   your   Majesty  is   in   health  this 
morning  ! 

1  Due  de  Choiseul  was  minister  of  Louis  XV.  Choiseul  watched 
the  rising  spirit  of  Colonial  independence  with  joy.  "  Here,"  he 
said,  "  is  the  happy  opportunity  for  dividing  the  British  Empire." — 
Bancroft. 

J  Choiseul  proposed  to  Spain  a  plan  of  commercial  co-operation  to 
benefit  the  Colonies,  but  the  King  of  Spain  did  not  act  upon  it. — 
Bancroft. 

•Vergennes  said,  in  1775,  "The  King's  proclamation  [of  1775] 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         1 13 

Louis — Thanks,  good  Count.  Receiving  my  sum- 
mons, perhaps  you  divined  the  motive  of  this  meeting  ? 

VERGENNES — The  Colonies,  now  in  revolt  from  Eng- 
land? 

Louis — Precisely.  I  am  much  harassed,  not  knowing 
what  to  do.  Maurepas  and  Turgot — far-seeing  men — are 
both  against  our  interference.4 

VERGENNES — How  difficult  it  is  to  map  the  future, 
and  line  it  here  and  there  as  if  subject  to  our  hand  like 
the  firm  and  measurable  earth  ! 
If  this  may  be  done  with  the 
precision  of  mechanics,  then 
the  statesman  has  survived  his 
skill,  and  the  dolt  is  as  good 
as  he  in  politics.  Uncertainty 
ever  hides  behind  the  curtain 
of  the  future,  and  doubt  rides 
with  all  foretelling.  Choiseul 
was  of  opinion  the  opposite  of 
Maurepas,  and,  as  I  think,  was 
wiser  in  his  reasoning.  Now 
or  never  is  the  time  to  bring 
England  to  her  knee,  and  we  do  this  with  the  weapon 
we  extend  in  friendship  to  these  Colonies. 

Louis — Shall  I  forget  my  place  and  the  duty  which 
royalty  owes  to  royalty  ?  Joseph  of  Austria,  my  royal 
brother,  and  here  my  visitor,  refuses  to  see  the  agents  of 

cuts  off  the  possibility  of  retreat  ;  America  or  the  British  ministers 
must  succumb." — Bancroft. 

On  October  31,  1775,  Lord  Stormont,  the  British  ambassador, 
was  received  by  Vergennes  at  the  French  Court,  who  said  to  him  : 
"  France  would  not  increase  the  embarrassments  of  England." 
"  The  consequences  of  the  acts  of  the  British  ministry,"  said  Ver- 
gennes, "  are  as  obvious  as  those  from  the  cession  of  Canada.  I  see 
the  consequences  which  must  follow  the  independence  of  North 
America.  They  might,  when  they  pleased,  conquer  both  your  islands 
and  ours  and  advance  in  power  over  both  North  and  South  America. 
The  time  for  this  being  remote  is  none  the  less  sure."  Vergennes 
had  the  courage  of  Choiseul,  and  he  was  equally  sensitive  for  the 
dignity  of  France. — Bancroft. 

4  Maurepas  and  Turgot,  both  ministers  of  Louis  XVI.,  did  not 
deem  it  prudent  to  oppose  Great  Britain. 


114         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

this  revolt,  saying,  "  I  am  a  king  by  trade ! "  So,  in- 
deed, am  I ;  and,  therefore,  may  not  hurt  my  guild  more 
than  he  of  other  calling.* 

VERGENNES — Sire,  as  the  years  roll  on,  great  changes 
come.  The  people,  once  the  puppet  of  the  throne,  are 
become  its  prop  and  master  !  The  king  who  notes  not 
this,  or  gives  to  it  but  little  of  respect,  may  some  day 
miss  the  path  of  safety.  Frenchmen  to-day  burn  with 
a  fiery  frenzy  to  strike  our  rival  across  the  Channel.8  It 
may  scorch  him  sadly,  even  though  he  wears  a  crown, 
who  seeks  to  check  Vesuvius  while  he  flames  ! 

Louis — Your  words  fall  upon  ears  which  receive  their 
lesson  because  they  must.  All  Paris,  all  France,  the 
Continent,  go  stumbling  over  rank  and  station  to  caress 
this'democrat — this  Franklin — whose  name  obscures  all 
others.7 

VERGENNES — Then  let  us  profit  from  this  current  of 
opinion,  since  it  runs  to  the  defeat  of  England.  This 
modern  Prometheus  controls  the  lightning  ;  and,  he  per- 
mitting, we  may  direct  the  bolt  ! 

Louis — We  are  not  prepared  for  war,  and  the  Colonies 
may  fail. 

VERGENNES — It  is  prudent  they  be  smelted  for  a  sea- 
son, that  we  may  know  if  they  are  gold  or  dross.  When 
their  swords  shall  win  the  right  to  kindness,  then  be  it 
extended  openly.  Meanwhile,  under  cover,  we  alone 
shall  know  that  which  we  do. 

Louis — Their  agents  are  already  informed,  in  answer 
to  that  petition,  handed  to  us  when  this  year  was  young, 
that  we  cannot  furnish  either  ships  or  cargoes.8 

6  In  1777  Joseph  II.  of  Austria  was  in  Paris.  He  said  :  "  I  am  a 
king  by  trade."  Nor  would  he  permit  a  visit  from  Franklin. — Ban- 
croft. 

6  To  strike  the  nation's  rival  [England]  was  the  sentiment  of  every 
Frenchman  except  the  King. — Bancroft.  ^ 

1  Franklin  reached  Paris  December  21,  1776,  and  his  fame  and 
presence  acted  like  a  spell.  He  received  the  homage  of  the  gay 
capital. — Bancroft. 

*  "  The  King  could  not  as  yet,"  so  Franklin  and  his  associate  com- 
missioners were  told,  "  furnish  the  Americans  with  either  ships  or 
cargoes.  Time  and  events  must  be  waited  for." — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         115 

VERGENNES — Yes,  sire.  In  happy  contentment  did 
they  receive  your  gracious  answer  of  refusal.  This  con- 
tentment grew  from  the  private  gift  extended  in  your 
royal  hand  of  credit  and  of  money,  which  meant  so 
much  to  them  at  home.  The  restless  Beaumarchais 
quickly  pushed  to  sea  three  ships,  burdened  deep  with 
arms.  Two  of  these  have  safely  sailed  their  course  ;  the 
third  fell  a  prize  to  British  guns.' 

Louis — Then  thus  far  has  tribute  been  granted  to  the 
people.  But  we  play  a  game  that  needs  a  crafty  hand. 
The  ocean  is  swept  by  American  privateers,  and  they 
seek  our  harbors  for  their  confiscations.  The  state  must 
not  forget  its  honor,  even  in  deference  to  the  people, 
wild  with  zeal  to  hurt  our  rival. 

VERGENNES— All  this  admitted,   Stormont  has  done 

no  more  than  beat  the  air  in  harmless   protest.     We 

surely  would  not  try  to  change  the  drama  as  now  it 
runs.10 

Louis — France  sleeps  serenely  while  your  discretion 
guards.  [Exit  the  KING. 

VERGENNES — So  may  France  always  sleep  !  Charles, 
a  son  of  France — the  mighty  Hammer,  for  distinction 
called — struck  down  the  Moor  and  saved  all  Europe  to 
the  Cross,  the  Crescent  rising  never  more  to  threaten. 
She  is  ever  found  in  the  lead  of  liberal  thought,  whence 
grow  generous  states.  France  has  earned  the  right  to 
sleep  serenely,  if  she  sleeps  at  all. 


9  <;  The  King,  unable  to  enter  into  a  detail  of  supplies,  will,  never- 
theless," so  the  commissioners  were  told,  "  mark  his  benevolence  to 
the  Americans  by  giving  them  secret  succor  which  will  extend  their 
credit."     This  promise  the  King  kept,  and  half  a  million  of  livres 
were   paid   the   American  commissioners    quarterly.      This  was   in 
answer  to  petition  of  the  commissioners  to  the  King,  presented  Janu- 
ary, 1777,  requesting  ships,  ammunition,  and  arms. — Bancroft. 

With  this  aid  three  ships,  laden  with  supplies,  sailed  for  America. 
One  was  captured,  and  the  other  two  reached  America  in  time  for  the 
summer  campaign  of  1777. — Bancroft. 

10  Stormont  complained  to  his  government  [England],  and  reported 
how  little  his  remonstrances  were  heeded. — Bancroft. 


Ii6         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


Enter  FRANKLIN. 

VERGENNES  —  Good-morning,  doctor.  You  have  op- 
portunely come.  I  expected  you. 

FRANKLIN  —  You  please  me  much,  if  coming,  I  hear 
good  news.  A  lackey  told  me  you  were  present,  and  as 

I  have  come  on  your  com- 
mands I  was  not  then  too 
bold  to  enter. 

VERGENNES  —  You  are 
now,  as  ever,  welcome. 
The  King  has  just  de- 
parted. 

FRANKLIN  —  And,      I 
hope,    left    behind    him, 
in    your    keeping,    good 
intentions   for 
those  I  serve. 

VERGENNES 
—  Louis  is  a 
king,  and,  as  a 
king,  has  no 
love  for  sub- 
jects who  re- 
bel." No  king 
has.  Charles 

of  Spain  will  not  sanction  popular  revolt,  and  so  decides. 

Louis,  however,  bows  to  his  people,  wh'o,  through  their 

Ministers,  —  or  some  of  them,  —  daily  make  their  wishes 

known  to  him. 

FRANKLIN  —  The  French  are  friendly  to  our  cause. 
But  not  so  you,  who  govern.  Upon  my  landing,  I 
was  forbidden  to  enter  Paris.  Forbidden,  as  if  a 
culprit. 

11  The  King  would  burst  out  into  a  passion  whenever  he  heard  of 
help  furnished  to  the  Americans.  But  he  could  not  suppress  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  French  nation.  The  King  was  petulant  at  the 
praises  of  Franklin  ;  it  was  the  public  opinion  of  France  that  swayed 
him  to  help  the  young  republic.  —  Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.          II? 

VERGENNES — You  came,  however.  The  restraining 
order  was  much  too  late,  or  you  too  venturesome.1* 

FRANKLIN — And,  being  here,  you  would  not  turn  me 
out  for  a  dozen  Englands  ?  It  was  so  unfortunate,  you 
failed  in  time  to  stop  me.19  [Both  laugh. 

VERGENNES — It  was  a  lapse  most  lamentable,  and  so 
the  Embassador  of  England  was  informed. 

FRANKLIN — The  shipment  of  many  cargoes  for  our 
help  have  been  forbidden  from  these  ports. 

VERGENNES — In  all  these,  again,  too  late  !  The  orders 
limped,  and  the  cargoes  sped.  A  strange  misfortune,  as 
England  knows.14 

FRANKLIN — You  have  denied  the  rights  of  harbor  to 
our  privateers  ? 

VERGENNES — And  in  every  case  you  have  enjoyed 
that  right  as  if  you  owned  this  kingdom.  And  saucily 
have  your  ships,  with  stomachs  filled  from  keel  to  deck, 
put  out  to  sea  for  further  depredations.  How  like  a 
snail  in  motion  have  been  official  mandates  here,  when 
aimed  against  America  !  Upon  each  lapse,  as  a  convent 
nun,  with  eyes  demurely  floored,  we  make  to  England 
sighs  of  deep  repentance.  Then  comes  the  offense 
again.15 

1J  An  order  was  sent  to  Franklin  not  to  come  to  Paris  ;  but  the 
order  came  too  late  to  Nantes,  where  Franklin  landed,  to  prevent  his 
coming. — Morse's  Franklin. 

13  Vergennes  said  to  Stormont  "  that,  should  Franklin  [missing  the 
order]  innocently  arrive  in  Paris,  it  would  be  scandalous  and  against 
laws  of  nations  to  send  him  away." — Morse s  Franklin. 

The  British  Embassador  sent  an  official  note  to  Vergennes  that  "  he 
would  quit  France  the  moment  permission  was  accorded  to  this  chief 
of  the  rebels  to  set  foot  in  Paris."  He  was  informed  that  a  courier 
had  been  sent  to  the  seaport  to  forbid  the  Doctor's  coming  to  Paris, 
but  they  could  not  say  it  would  reach  him  in  time. — Bigelow. 

14  Ships   were   constantly    leaving  France  for  the   United  States, 
laden  with  all  they  most  needed,  and  American  vessels  were  received 
and  protected.     When  Stormont  remonstrated,  they  would  be  stopped. 
But  presently  the  ship  would  take  its  cargo  and  sail,  and  the  renewed 
complaints  of  Stormont  would  be  put  atade  by  the  quiet  earnestness 
of  Vergennes. — Bancroft. 

Is  See  Note  14.  The  Reprisal  [American  privateer]  replenished  its 
stores  at  Nantes,  cruised  off  the  French  coast,  and  its  five  new  prizes 


Ii8         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


FRANKLIN  [laughing  heartily] — Count,  it  grieves  me 
much  to  note  such  negligence.  I  fear  that  you  give  that 
worthy  Embassador  of  England  cause  for  much  anxiety. 
Watch  me  !  Watch  me  closely,  or  here  I'll  equip  an 
army,  and  with  it  march  away. 

VERGENNES — A  thing  most  likely.     Your  pleasantry 

may  be  reality  when  you 
have  successfully  held 
the  field  a  little  longer. 
Be  content  that  equivo- 
cation aids  you  now, 
and  till  the  iron  hand 
filled  with  material  gifts 
openly  supplants  it. 

FRANKLIN — I  can  ask 
no  more.16  You  gave  me 
notice,  Count,  that  I 
should  meet  a  stranger 
here. 

VERGENNES — An  impetuous  youth,  who  will  not  be 
denied  admittance  to  your  presence.  He  is  now  due. 

Enter  LAFAYETTE. 

Good-morning,  Marquis.  You  are  on  the  tick  of 
punctuality.  Dr.  Franklin,  this  is  the  Marquis  de  Lafay- 
ette, whom  I  commend  to  you. 

[DR.  FRANKLIN  and  LAFAYETTE  bow. 

FRANKLIN — It  gives  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  meet 
any  friend  of  yours,  Vergennes.  I  did  not  catch  the 
name. 

were  unmoored  in  French  harbors.  Stormont  hurried  to  complain. 
"  You  come  too  late,"  said  Vergennes  ;  "orders  have  been  sent  that 
the  American  ship  and  her  prizes  put  to  sea."  The  Reprisal  continued 
these  depredations  till  midsummer.  Stormont  remonstrated  with 
passion,  and  Vergennes  prevaricated. — Bancroft. 

16  These  measures  sanctioned  by  France  were  a  war  in  disguise 
against  England. — Bancroft. 

Franklin  knew,  just  as  well  as  Vergennes  did,  that  the  French 
ministry  was  all  the  time  favoring  the  privateersmen  far  beyond  the 
law,  and  ihat  it  was  ready  to  resort  to  any  device  for  that  purpose. — 
Morse's  Franklin. 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         119 


LAFAYETTE— My  name  is  Gilbert  Mortierde  Lafayette. 
Called  here  at  home  Marquis  de  Lafayette. 

FRANKLIN — And,  Marquis,  something  of  your  name 
and  family  I  know  already.  What  service  may  I  render 
you  ? 

LAFAYETTE — Commend  me  to  your  government.  I 
have  closed  a  contract  with  Mr.  Deane,  your  colleague, 
to  serve  your  people,  as  best  I  can,  in  arms." 

FRANKLIN — Such  commendation  you  shall  have,  and 
my  heart  dictate  it.  But  you  are  young  for  such  a  dar- 
ing enterprise. 

LAFAYETTE — If  youth  be  my 
only  fault,  then  this  can  be  cured. 

FRANKLIN  —  But  you  must 
live  to  cure  it.  I  would  not  en- 
courage your  journey  across 
the  sea.  Disaster  has  followed 
us  in  America  —  though  the 
news  of  Trenton  and  of  Prince- 
ton, lately  come,  revive  brave 
expectations. 

LAFAYETTE — If  your  country 

did  not  need  my  sword,  I  would  not  tender  it.     I  seek 
to  confer,  not  to  receive,  a  favor. 

FRANKLIN — I  am  overwhelmed  with  such  as  offer  aid, 
but  from  very  different  motives — who  would  fight  our 
battles,  if  sure  profit  followed  !  We  are  very  poor  in 
purse.  You  should  know  the  worst. 

LAFAYETTE — The  greater  reason  this  for  my  engage- 
ment. I  am  rich  in  purse,  and  will  provide  my  own 
ship  for  transportation.  Then  I  am  not  debtor  to  any 
man.18 


"  Franklin  commended  Lafayette  by  letters  which  had  real  value, 
from  the  fact  of  the  extreme  rarity  of  such  warranty  from  this  source. 
— Morse ' s  Franklin. 

18  When  Franklin  told  Lafayette  plainly  that  the  credit  of  the  gov- 
ernment was  too  low  to  furnish  the  volunteers  [Lafayette,  De  Kalb, 
and  others]  a  transport,  "  Then,"  said  the  young  man,  "  I  will  pur- 
chase one  myself."  And  he  did  so. — Bancroft. 


120         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


FRANKLIN — You  are  a  favorite  of  the  Court.  Dis- 
tinguished in  rank,  with  youth  and  health  and  wealth  to 
buttress  it  securely.  A  young  wife  adds  to  favors  which 
fall  upon  you,  thick  as  flowers  poured  from  the  cornu- 
copian  horn. 

VERGENNES — To  this  you  may  add,  the  King,  in  dis- 
approval, forbids  this  madcap's  journey  to  America.19 

FRANKLIN — What  moves  you  to  this  sacrifice  of  pleas- 
ures, which  others  would  dare  much  to  keep  when 
gained  ? 

LAFAYETTE — Were  I  made  for  no  better  end  than  to 
loll  in  drowsy  dullness,  it  were  well  to  ask  me  as  you 
have.  The  dog  in  my  kennel, 
which  this  hand  feeds,  is  sleek 
from  luxury,  and  daily  fawns  for 
more.  I  could  take  a  lesson  from 
his  contentment,  and  in  the 
rounds  of  ease  sing  my  own  life 
away  :  and  be  a  dog.  With  this 
as  highest  wish,  then  let  me  die 
at  once, a  groveler  upon  the  earth, 
and  give  place  to  some  better 
beast.  From  across  the  water 
he  who  listens  hears  that  men  of 
brave  thoughts,  and  with  high, 
inspiring  aims,  are  up  in  action 
to  lift  mankind  into  a  higher  destiny.  Wrong  is  to  be 
suppressed,  tyranny  trampled  down,  and  liberty  de- 
fended. Such  purpose  thrills,  as  if  proclaimed  with 
voice  supernal,  and  every  man,  worthy  of  the  name, 
should  join  his  kindred.  Shall  1  sit  here  and  seek  a  lazy 
rest  when  others  in  godlike  deeds  are  spurring  on  to 
Fame's  proud  temple  that  reaches  up  to  heaven  ?  The 
thought  of  duty  in  such  stirring  times  urges  the  im- 
patient body  on,  and  healthy  fiber  tires  from  inaction. 
The  clarion  call  of  heroes,  swelling  across  the  sea,  sounds 

19  Lafayette  received  orders  from  the  King  [Louis  XVI.]  to  give 
up  his  expedition  to  America.  But  he  braved  the  order,  and  sailed 
on  the  26th  of  April,  1777. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        121 

in  my  ears,  and  I  cry  back  to  them,  I  come  ! — I 
come  ! 20 

VERGENNES — All  the  young  men  of  France  are  thus 
impelled,  and  our  gracious  Queen  abets  them.*1 

FRANKLIN  [to  LAFAYETTE] — So  far  as  I  can  direct  it, 
you  shall  stand  with  the  best  in  our  armies.  [All  retire. 


SCENE  II.  Royal  Council  Chamber,  Buckingham  Palace ', 
London.  Same  as  Act  If.  Scene  3.  Time  :  February ', 
1777. 

Enter  KING  GEORGE  III.,   LORD  NORTH,  LORD  GER- 
MAIN, and  GEN.  BURGOYNE. 

KING — This  news  of  Trenton  comes  to  plague  us,  at 
the  time  when  expectation  had  fixed  its  seal  upon  the 
bond  of  victory.  Bad  work  has  been  somewhere  done. 

GERMAIN — Our  Generals  have  been  slow  to  harvest 
after  advantage  gained,  your  Majesty.  At  Long  Island 
and  on  the  heights  of  Harlem  a  quick  advance  would 
have  secured  to  us  all  who  stood  opposed  in  arms.  The 
autumnal  fruits  thus  garnered  into  our  bins  as  the  reward 
of  summer's  trials,  the  barren  stubble  left  could  not  dis- 
quiet us.  Across  New  Jersey  we  kept  the  traitors  in 
front,  when  we  should  have  gathered  them  behind  as 
prisoners.  At  Trenton  we  slept  until  the  enemy,  at  his 
pleasure,  awoke  us  with  his  guns.  I  am  no  soldier,  but 
as  a  novice  say  this  is  not  the  way  to  conquer.  Burgoyne, 
is  this  so?1 

so  To  his  young  wife  Lafayette  wrote  while  at  sea  :  "  From  love  to 
me  become  a  good  American.  The  welfare  of  America  is  clearly 
bound  up  in  the  welfare  of  all  mankind  ;  it  is  about  to  become  the 
safe  asylum  of  virtue,  tolerance,  equality,  and  peaceful  liberty." — 
Bancroft. 

21  The  Queen  of  France  [Marie  Antoinette]  applauded  the  heroism 
of  Lafayette.  "  The  same  folly,"  said  Vergennes,  "has  turned  the 
heads  of  our  young  people." — Bancroft. 

1  Germain  sought  to  screen  the  ministry  by  throwing  the  blame 
upon  the  delays  or  inactivity  of  Clinton,  Carleton,  and  Howe. — Ban- 
croft. 


122         WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

BURGOYNE — Excuse  me  if  I  hesitate  to  criticise  my 
fellow-soldiers.  This  is  the  courtesy  of  arms. 

NORTH — Howe  fails  to  recognize  the  efficacy  of  ener- 
getic action.  A  younger  and  more  dashing  chief  will 
redeem  the  past  ;  and  I  think  we  have  him  here,  though 
he  is  too  modest  to  admit  it. 

BURGOYNE — You  do  me  too  much  honor,  if  your  ref- 
erence be  to  me. 

KING — Gen.  Howe  calls  for  fifteen  thousand  more 
troops.  We  are  not  preparing  to  assail  all  Europe  after 
the  Colonies.  Yet  upon  such  a  levy  might  such  sus- 
picion rest." 

GERMAIN — We  cannot  get  them.  Every  effort  has 
been  put  forth  with  our  German  friends,  hitherto  so 
generous,  and  the  additions  made  to  us  will  not  exceed 
three  thousand. 

KING— Carleton,  too,  calls  for  thirty  thousand.  Bur- 
goyne,  are  so  many  men  required  ? 3 

BURGOYNE — Your  Majesty,  with  skill  led  forward — a 
wise  plan,  of  course,  preceding — one-third  of  this  num- 
ber could  cleave  from  north  to  south  as  the  ax  divides 
the  log  by  blow  of  proper  aim. 

KING — Have  you  arranged  a  plan  ? 

GERMAIN — We  have,  your  Majesty,  to  be  followed 
upon  your  approval.  The  line  of  strategy  is  now  as  it 
was  a  year  ago — a  march  from  Canada  to  New  York, 
down  a  dividing  stream,  the  Hudson  named.  To  our 
General  Carleton  last  autumn  was  given  the  order  to  do 
this  deed.  He  advanced  to  Crown  Point,  scattering 
opposition,  and  there  encamped  ;  further  motion  was  to 
return  upon  his  march  to  Canada,  leaving,  as  we  learn, 
a  stricken  enemy  wondering  at  his  retreat.  Thus  he  in 

*  Gen.  Howe  [in  the  spring  of  1777]  had  requested  re-enforcements 
of  fifteen  thousand  men.     But  Germain   professed   to  think  such  a 
requisition  ought  not  to  be  complied  with. — Bancroft. 

*  Gen.  Carleton  [in  Canada]  wanted  thirty  thousand  more. — Von 
Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        123 

part  did  the  work  assigned  him.     The  better  half  re- 
mained undone  when  he  fell  back.4 

KING — We  have  in  America  too  many  generals  who, 
like  this  one,  promise  much  and  do  but  little. 

GERMAIN — Burgoyne  agrees,  with  ten  thousand  men, 
to  march  to  Albany,  the  central  point  in  a  field  of  action. 
With  a  column  from  the  west,  through  the  Mohawk 
Valley,  and  Gen.  Howe  from  New  York,  all  conjoining 
here,  the  work  is  not  in  part,  but  wholly  done ;  and  then 
rebellion,  as  we  believe,  dealt  a  mortal  wound. 

KING — Who  is  to  lead  this  column  from  the  West  ? 

GERMAIN — No  one  has  yet  been  named.  It  is  a  wild 
march  through  a  savage  land. 

KING — Then  let  it  be  Col.  Barry  St.  Leger.  A 
trusty  man  for  a  desperate  work.  And  chief  command 
be  given  to  Burgoyne,  who  is  here  to  pledge  success. 
We  are  weary  of  this  delay  to  restore  to  our  kingdom 
peace.6 

BURGOYNE — Bearing  this  confidence  of  your  Majesty, 
I  will  be  in  Canada  before  May  blossoms  fall  ;  and  mov- 
ing at  once  bring  victory  home  when  the  fruits  ripen  in 
the  autumn.6 

GERMAIN — Upon  the  calendar  this  is  a  year  remark- 
able. Three  like  figures  mark  it.  May  three  sevens, 

4  On  the  I4th  of  October,  1776,  Carleton  landed  at  Crown  Point 
[driving  Arnold  before  him].  He  waited  for  tidings  from  Howe, 
and  on  the  28th  of  October  his  army  began  its  return  to  Canada. 
On  November  3  his  rear  guard  abandoned  Crown  Point.  British 
officers  were  astonished  at  his  retreat,  which  seemed  to  the  Americans 
a  flight  that  could  not  be  accounted  for. — Bancroft, 

6  This  plan  [marching  from  Canada  to  Albany,  with  a  union  there 
from  West  and  South]  appeared  magnificent  to  the  Cabinet  in  Lon- 
don, and  was  persisted  in  through  the  fascinating  promises  of  Bur- 
goyne. St.  Leger  was  selected  by  the  King  to  conduct  the  ex- 
pedition against  Fort  Stanwix  and  through  the  Mohawk  Valley. — 
Bancroft. 

6  Burgoyne,  on  the  6th  of  May,  1777,  with  his  re-enforcements 
arrived  at  Quebec  with  orders  to  supersede  Gen.  Carleton  with  the 
army  that  was  to  move  to  Albany  as  soon  as  it  crossed  the  border  of 
Canada  into  hostile  territory. — Bancroft. 


124         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION 


with  the  unit  in  front  of  all,  be  the  lucky  number  in  the 
links  of  time  that  wins  a  rest  from  this  tedious  strife  ! 

KING — What  success  attends  recruiting  in  America  ? 

GERMAIN — In   New  York,   and   in   New   Jersey,  we 

have  gained  more 
than  a  regiment  of 
resident  soldiers. 
Loyalty  to  the 
crown  is  still  there 
found,  and  heard, 
too,  when  free  to 
speak.7 

KING — This  does 
not  include  sav- 
age support?  My 
thoughts  run  to  this. 

GERMAIN — Brant, 
the  chief  of  many 
Indian  tribes,  is 
enlisted  with  us. 
Thousands  will  fol- 
low in  his  train, 
with  tomahawk  and 
scalping  knife  ;  ter- 
rible both  to  civ- 
ilized communities. 
I  maintain  my  prom- 
ise to  the  Commons,  that  the  plan  just  submitted  will 
surely  end  this  war,  and  before  this  year  is  closed.8 

KING — There    is  one   annoyance   that  should   have 

7  American  recruiting  stations  were  established  for  British  service. 
De  Lancey,  in  New  York,  recruited  about  six  hundred  and  Cortlandt 
Skinner,  in  New  Jersey,  about  five  hundred. — Bancroft. 

8 The  King  greatly  favored  the  employment  of  Indians.  "Lose 
no  time,"  he  ordered,  "to  induce  them  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against 
the  rebellious  subjects  in  America."  Joseph  Brant,  the  Mohawk 
chief,  roused  his  countrymen  for  the  war.  Germain  drew  out  the 
plan  of  the  Northern  campaign  in  concert  with  Hurgoyne.  These 
preparations,  Germain  assured  the  House  of  Commons,  would  end 
the  war. — Bancroft. 


r 


WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        125 

abatement  even  at  cost  of  severest  remedy.  Our  com- 
merce moves  with  timid  sail,  since  armed  cruisers  of 
America  dare  molest  it.  No  recognized  power  grants 
charters  of  the  sea  to  these  marauders ;  hence  they  are 
pirates,  and  should  as  such  be  treated. 

GERMAIN — The  naval  commissions,  as  issued  now,  so 
direct.  Armed  vessels  of  America  are  pirates,  as  we 
make  the  law ;  and  within  the  scope  of  our  instructions 
their  men,  as  soon  as  captured,  are  to  be  hanged  at  the 
English  yardarm.9 

KING — Lord  Stormont  continues  to  report  the  perfidy 
of  France.  She  receives  these  corsairs  and  their  prizes, 
all  the  while  professing  friendship  and  neutrality  for  us, 
a  friendly  power.10  . 

GERMAIN — More  than  that ;  she  entertains,  upon  the 
footing  of  an  embassador,  this  Franklin,  too  long  toler- 
ated here  in  London.  And  the  court  and  mob  exalt 
him  as  a  hero. 

BURGOYNE — If  all  goes  as  here  provided,  the  day  is 
near  when  French  manners  must  be  mended  !  Tumble 
your  hero  into  the  gutter  and  he  becomes  as  loathsome 
as  his  companion  there,  even  to  his  idolaters  !  When 
their  banners  are  toppled  down  by  the  King's  artillery, 
the  gutter  awaits  them  all  !  In  the  campaign  this  day 
arranged  we  shall  do  our  best  to  teach  the  need  of 
greater  honesty  in  French  diplomacy  ! 

KING — Blow  high  or  low,  traitors  are  on  the  rack; 
and  we'll  not  rest  till  treason  bows  the  neck.  \_All  retire. 

9  In  February,  1777,  letters  were  granted  to  private  ships  to  make 
prizes  of  American  vessels  ;  and  American  privateersmen  were  to  be 
treated  as  pirates. — Bancroft. 

10  See  Notes  14  and  15,  Act  IV.  Scene  I. 


126         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

SCENE  III.  Camp  of  WASHINGTON, at  Middlebrook,  N.  J. 
Time :   May  28,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  BENEDICT  ARNOLD  and  CAPT.,  now  COL., 
STANDISH. 

STANDISH — Here  we  are  in  the  camp  of  my  chief,  and 
here  I  could  contentedly  remain. 

ARNOLD — Since  you  left,  however,  you  have  changed 
the  signs  upon  your  shoulders  to  a  higher  grade.  In  the 
army  we  live  for  rank  and  honors. 

STANDISH — And  you,  too,  General,  have  been  for- 
tunate. What  Congress  denied  to  your  merits  a  few 
weeks  ago  you  have  wrung  from  it  by  your  valor  since — 
the  epaulets  of  a  Major  General.1 

ARNOLD — These  sages  of  civil  life  ;  they  select  com- 
manders from  the  soil  they  grow  upon  as  they  do  their 
cabbage  !  I  was  born  in  Connecticut,  and  that  State 
had  two  major  generals  to  it  accredited.  Because  of 
this,  though  I  were  an  Alexander,  geography  was  as 
fatal  to  me  as  a  ton  of  lead  around  my  neck  in  the  open 
sea,  in  these  new  selections  !  Standish,  this  was  to  me 
an  insult,  which  sooner  or  later  I  would  have  avenged 
upon  these  men.  And  as  it  is,  I  fear,  sometimes,  that  I 
may  remember  it  when  I  should  not  do  so  !' 

STANDISH — Danbury  changed  that  and  humiliated  the 
humiliators. 

ARNOLD — But  for  Washington,  who  knew  a  wrong 
was  done,  and  urged  a  remedy,  I  am  not  sure  Congress 
would  have  revised  its  map.  For  like  reason,  since  I 
know  no  other,  Stark  was  neglected.  He  breasted 

1  On  April  23,  1777,  a  corps  of  British,  under  Gen.  Tryon,  made 
an  effort  to  destroy  an  American  magazine  at  Danbury,  Conn.  Ar- 
nold and  Wooster  assailed  them  in  front  and  rear,  and  they  were 
routed.  Congress,  at  Washington's  instance,  appointed  Arnold  a 
Major  General. — Bancroft. 

'Congress,  in  appointing  four  more  major  generals  [in  1777],  on 
the  pretext  that  Connecticut  already  had  two,  passed  over  Arnold, 
the  oldest  Brigadier.  Arnold  was  very  angry,  and  wrote:  ""By 
Heavens  !  I  am  a  villain  if  I  seek  not  a  brave  revenge  for  wounded 
honor  !  " — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         127 


hostile  bullets  at  Bunker  Hill,  at  Princeton,  and  in  other 
fights  between.  Had  he  been  Great  Jove,  and  smitten 
the  enemy  with  his  lightnings,  having  been  born  in  New 
Hampshire,  his  deeds  would  weigh  as  nothing  against 
this  natal  error.  Stark  has  gone  home  angry.  To 
curse  his  native  hills,  no 
doubt,  for  playing  the  base 
trick  of  wet-nursing  him  ! 

STANDISH — You  are  in 
error  as  to  Stark.  In  him 
Congress  found  a  stubborn 
will,  but  little  used  to  the 
obedient  mood,  and  so  did 
not  call  him.8  Gallant 
Stark  !  No  matter  where 
he  sulks  or  hides,  when 
the  blast  of  war  blows  in 
his  ears,  he  will  be  found 
in  the  front  ranks  for  free- 
dom !  Honor  holds  him 

fast  to  honor's  shield,  heedless  of  the  rank  his  shoulders 
carry !  Gen.  Try  on  will  not  seek  to  cross  swords 
again  with  you,  Gen.  Arnold  ! 

ARNOLD — Perhaps  not.  At  Danbury  we  were  out- 
numbered heavily.  Tryon  destroyed  the  stores  and 
burned  the  village.  But  homeward  bound  we  caught 
him.  While  I  was  in  front  at  Ridgewood,  brave  Woos- 
ter,  from  behind,  pushed  him  on,  as  the  mastiff  tears  at 
the  flanks  of  the  frightened  bull !  We  rode  fetlock 
stained  among  the  dead  !  Night  came  to  the  relief  of 
these  torch-bearing  Britons,  and  under  its  friendly  cover 
they  escaped  our  further  vengeance  ! 

STANDISH — Your  horse  was  shot  under  you  !  And 
for  this  Congress  votes  you  a  fresh  animal,  and  in  rank 
makes  you  what  you  are  !  Wooster,  pressing  close,  fell 

*On  the  same  day  six  new  brigadiers  were  appointed.  Stark  stood 
at  the  head  of  the  roll  for  New  Hampshire,  but  was  passed  over  on 
the  idea  that  he  was  self-willed.  Chafing  at  the  injustice,  he  retired 
to  his  farm. — Bancroft. 


128         WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

with  his  face  to  the  British  line  !     I  then  crimsoned  my 
sword  with  the  wine  of  British  lives  in  recompense  ! 4 

ARNOLD — And  so  heavy  was  the  toll  exacted  that  you 
are  now  a  Colonel. 

Enter  WASHINGTON. 

WASHINGTON  [bowing  to  both~\ — Gen.  Arnold,  to  this 
camp  I  could  give  no  one  a  warmer  welcome.  Of  late, 
as  heretofore, — for  so  your  habit  is, — you  have  been  giv- 
ing these  English  a  cutting  blade  !  At  Danbury  you 
added  new  laurels  to  such  as  already  twine  around  you  ! 

ARNOLD — General,  the  hardships  of  war  are  lighter 
when  they  are  softened  with  such  commendation. 

WASHINGTON — Since  Princeton,  we  have  rested  upon 
these  Jersey  hills.  But  winter  has  folded  his  icy  wings, 
and  summer  brings  a  grateful  recompense  for  his  nipping 
rage.  Howe,  shaking  off  a  city's  dullness,  has  ventured 
forth  to  tread  among  our  flowers,  and,  like  busy  bees,  we 
have  stung  him  back  again.  To-day  we  advance  our 
camp  from  Morristown  here  to  Middlebrook  to  test  the 
courage  of  these  Britons.  In  New  York  City,  and  within 
its  call,  they  have  a  force  of  twenty-five  thousand  men, 
and  we  confront  them  with  one-third  that  number.6 

4  On  the  return  of  Tryon  from  Danbury,  Arnold  confronted  him 
and  Wooster  hung  upon  his  rear.  Arnold's  horse  was  killed  under 
him  and  Wooster  fell  mortally  wounded.  The  British  fled,  with  a 
loss  of  two  hundred  men. — Bancroft. 

6  On  May  28,  1777,  Washington  advanced  his  army  from  Morris- 
town  to  Middlebrook.  Gen.  Howe  had  now  a  force  of  thirty  thousand 
men,  with  which  he  passed  into  New  Jersey.  Washington,  to  meet 
this  force,  had  seven  thousand  five  hundred.  Howe  tried  to  draw 
Washington  from  his  strong  position,  and  failed.  On  June  22  Howe 
returned  to  Amboy,  with  the  Americans  assailing  his  rear,  and  Wash- 
ington advanced  to  Quibletown.  Howe  turned  upon  him,  and  Wash- 
ington fell  back  to  his  mountain  passes. — Frost. 

On  the  3Oth  of  June  Howe  left  New  Jersey,  never  again  to  step  on 
its  soil.  A  great  American  victory  could  have  accomplished  no  more. 
— Bancroft. 

Congress  fretted  at  Washington's  caution.  To  all  censures  Wash- 
ington replied  :  "  As  I  have  one  great  object  in  view,  I  shall  steadily 
move  to  the  accomplishment  of  it."  And  in  this  he  baffled  an  enemy 
of  much  more  than  twice  his  number. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         129 

ARNOLD — You  will  whip  Howe  badly,  with  no  greater 
difference  between  you.  One  to  five  against  us,  I  regard 
as  fair  battle.  He  will  not  assail  you  upon  present 
terms. 

WASHINGTON — You  jest  on  serious  things.  I  dare  not 
venture  a  struggle  against  such  odds,  unless  intrenched. 


If  he  throws  the  gauge, — and  so  he  may, — I  will  repel 
him  from  these  hills,  which  are  nature's  battlements.  But 
I  would  not  risk  a  conflict  in  the  open  field.  Suspecting 
him  of  wish  for  Philadelphia  to  quarter  in  next  winter, 
should  he  cross  New  Jersey  to  gain  his  end,  we  are  here 
to  dispute  the  road.  If  he  wins  his  goal,  we  shall  still  be 
near  to  watch  and  worry  him,  as  once  we  did  when  Bos- 
ton gave  him  shelter. 

STANDISH — I  notice,  General,  that  you  at  least  have  not 
lost  heart,  since  even  to  the  coming  winter  you  forecast 
your  plans. 

WASHINGTON — If,  after  Long  Island,  I  held  fast  to 
hope,  I  surely  will  do  so  now.  Thanks  to  Franklin  and 
to  generous  France,  we  are  at  last  equipped.  Guns, 
stores,  and  ammunition  have  crossed  the  seas  to  us. 


13°         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

Our  little  navy  has  done  its  share  ;  and,  in  a  measure 
independent  of  them  all,  we  now  make  for  ourselves 
things  most  needed.  Unity,  unity  of  action,  is  what  we 
sadly  want  to-day. 

ARNOLD — The  old  cry:  our  cause  still  weakened  from 
the  jealousy  of  meaner  men,  who  fawn  at  the  feet  of 
power,  and  by  private  favor  win  the  place  of  eminence. 
And  Congress  favors  this  !  Will  this  go  on  forever? 

WASHINGTON — I  make  no  reflections  upon  any  man, 
and  will  be  no  partisan,  since  I  am  the  Chief.  It  is  a 
grave  danger  that  Schuyler  and  Gates  will  not  act  in 
harmony.  To  their  dissensions  we  may  chiefly  charge 
the  loss  of  our  stores  at  Peekskill.6 

STANDISH — Schuyler  is  the  older  in  rank.  Gates 
should  not  seek  to  climb  at  his  cost. 

WASHINGTON — In  March  last  Congress  ordered  that 
my  judgment  in  the  army  should  be  supreme.  It  was  a 
decree  of  empty  sound,  for,  since  then,  Congress  has 
taken  sole  charge  of  this  Northern  quarrel.  When  Gates 
was  made,  one  year  ago  this  June,  commander  of  the 
forces  operating  in  Canada,  it  was  not  supposed  that  he 
would  claim  from  this  to  rank  Schuyler,  when  this  same 
Canadian  army  came  within  our  borders.  This  he  did, 
however,  and  Congress  opposed  his  view.7 

STANDISH — And  straightway,  like  a  tricky  politician, 
Gates  began  to  flatter  and  plead  for  place  to  Schuyler's 
detriment.  For  this  he  sought  Congress,  and  left  you 
at  the  ferry  ;  and  while  the  Delaware  you  crossed  to 
Trenton,  he  crossed  to  Baltimore.  From  that  day  he 
has  bombarded  the  civil  rulers  in  his  own  behalf.8 

WASHINGTON — I  will  not  join  you,  Standish,  in  your 
criticism.  Men  are  weak.  And  even  those  of  merit 

•  In  the  early  part  of  the  year  [1777]  the  stores  of  the  American 
army  deposited  at  Peekskill  were  destroyed. — Bancroft. 

1  Harmony  between  them  [Schuyler  and  Gates]  was  impossible. — 
Bancroft. 

8  Just  before  Washington  moved  across  the  Delaware  [to  assault 
Trenton,  in  which  Gates  was  to  assist],  a  letter  was  handed  him  from 
Gates.  "From  Gen.  Gates.  Where  is  he?"  said  Washington. 
"  On  his  way  to  Congress  in  Baltimore,"  was  the  answer. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.        I31 

sometimes  value  themselves  higher  than  others  do. 
Schuyler,  fretting  from  interference,  in  petulance  wrote 
to  Congress,  and  that  body,  without  consulting  me,  not 
even  giving  notice  of  the  act,  appointed  Gates  as  chief 
of  Schuyler's  army.' 

ARNOLD — Were  I  the  head  of  our  troops,  Congress 
should  know  the  danger  of  such  insolence. 

WASHINGTON — Then,  Arnold,  I  rejoice  that  you  are 
not  that  head.  There  can  be  but  one  supreme  authority 
in  the  state,  and  we  should  bow  to  that,  though  error 
at  times  may  taint  it.  Gates  was  of  opinion  that  too 
many  troops  were  here,  and  asked  Congress  to  divide 
my  command  for  his  benefit.  The  makers  of  our  laws 
so  ordered,  and  I  obeyed.  I  did  think  application  should 
be  made  by  Gates  to  me  as  Chief  ;  but,  since  he  thought 
otherwise,  I  would  not  cavil  about  the  shadow,  if  the 
substance  was  to  be  made  more  secure.  The  substance 
is  to  destroy  the  invaders  of  our  soil ;  all  else  is 
shadow.10 

ARNOLD — I  assure  you,  General,  you  act  with  too 
much  patience.  Times  are  out  of  joint  when  subordi- 
nates thus  flout  their  commander  ;  yielding  does  not 
mend  them.  With  all  his  cunning,  Gates  lost  his 
game.  Schuyler  is  again  in  favor. 

WASHINGTON — So  you  know  that,  do  you  ?  In  the 
turn  of  fortune's  wheel,  only  one  week  ago,  Schuyler 
was  once  more  by  Congress  given  command  of  the 
Northern  Army.  But  will  this  stay  so  ?  I  have  laid  the 

9  Congress,  without  consulting  the  Commander-in-chief,  directed 
Gates  to  repair  to  Ticonderoga  and  take  command  of  the  army  there 
[superseding  Schuyler] . — Bancroft. 

10  Gates,  in  April,  1777,  wrote  to  Congress  :  "I  foresee  the  worst 
consequences  from  too  great  a  proportion  of  the  army  being  in  New 
Jersey  "  [with  Washington].     Congress  forthwith  ordered  Washing- 
ton to  forward  troops  to  Gates,  and  he  did  so.     Washington  thought 
application  should  be  made  to  him. — Bancroft. 

"  My  own  difficulties  have  been  increased  [wrote  Washington]  by  the 
extra  aid  of  troops  which  I  have  spared  from  this  army.  [Sent  to 
Gates.]  But  it  is  to  be  hoped  all  will  yet  end  well.  If  the  cause  is 
advanced,  indifferent  it  is  to  me  where  or  in  what  quarter  it  happens." 
— Irving.  ' 


132         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

plans  for  meeting  these  hirelings  from  Canada,  but  who, 
at  last,  will  execute  them  ?  Arnold,  I  intend  to  send 
you  there,  when  the  plot  ripens  and  the  battle  comes 
threatening  on.11 

ARNOLD — Wherever  Washington  directs,  there  will 
Arnold  go,  pledged  to  do  his  utmost. 

WASHINGTON — This  I  know,  and  therefore  want 
Arnold  at  our  Northern  gates,  where  giants  will  assail. 


I  cannot  tell — indeed,  I  do  not  yet  know — who  will  lead 
the  British,  but  the  importance  of  the  movement  will 
enlist  their  best.  Standish,  you  also  will  gather  new 
honors  there,  or  have  the  opportunity.  I  cast  from  my- 
self the  bayonet  and  flint  of  my  own  armor — for  such 
are  you  to  me — when  I  send  you  off.  But  I  would  de- 
feat these  visitors  at  any  cost.  Near  New  York  I  must 
remain  to  watch  the  head  assailant,  who  there  encamps 
his  mightiest  power.  With  such  strength  as  I  may 
gather  here,  I  will  trust  myself  to  fortune.  [All  retire. 

11  Alarmed  at  Schuyler's  [now  again,  July,  1777,  in  command  in 
place  of  Gates]  want  of  fortitude,  Washington  ordered  Arnold,  who 
was  fearless,  to  join  Schuyler  at  Saratoga  ;  and  also,  even  to  his  irre- 
trievable loss,  Glover's  Brigade,  in  addition  to  others  sent. — Ban- 
croft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.      133 

SCENE  IV.  Headquarters  of  GEN.  HOWE  in  New   York 
City.     Time:  June,  1777. 

Enter   GEN.   HOWE,    GEN.   SIR   HENRY   CLINTON,  and 
GEN.  LORD  CORNWALLIS. 

HOWE — Sir  Henry,  I  shall  do  no  such  thing.  If  this 
be  disobedience  of  orders,  then  Germain  may  make  the 
most  of  it. 

CLINTON — It  is  commanded,  so  I  read,  that  you  and 
your  power  shall  join  Burgoyne  at  Albany,  when  he 
comes  there,  the  expected  conqueror. 

HOWE — Not  so,  Sir  Henry.  I  am  notified  thjit  Bur- 
goyne will  try  and  join  me  by  way  of  the  Hudson. 
Very  well.  This  he  may  do,  if  he  can.  It  is  an  outrage 
that  Carleton  is  so  treated  ;  and  also  much  of  insult 
this  order  brings  to  me.  Should  we,  who  have  grown 
old  in  dodging  cannon  balls,  now  bow  in  deference  to 
this  upstart  John  Burgoyne?  These  men  who  plan 
campaigns  in  London  may  come  and  execute  them.  I 
have  written  Germain  that  this  Northern  army  will  get 
little  of  aid  from  me  ;  and  that  while  he  makes  plans, 
I  do  the  same — that  I  have  resolved  to  assail  Phila- 
delphia.1 

CORNWALLIS — General,  was  not  that  a  hasty  letter, 
which  cooler  thought  will  wish  to  cancel  ? 

HOWE— No  !  By  the  heavens  above  us,  no  !  For 
years  I  have  had  a  soldier's  fare  here  in  America.  Lived 
in  wretched  tents,  and  many  times,  of  necessity,  with 
coarsest  food  satisfied  dainty  appetite.  Have  frozen  in 
the  winter  and  scorched  in  summer's  heat,  and  through 
it  all  planned,  marched,  and  fought ;  and  with  all  borne 
such  anxiety  as  is  known  only  to  a  chief  commander. 


'Gen.  Howe  was  notified  that  Burgoyne  had  orders  to  force  a 
junction  with  his  army.  Gen.  Howe  was  indignant  [at  Burgoyne's 
command]  and  dispatched  to  the  Secretary  [Lord  Germain]  his  plan 
of  campaign.  He  announced  his  determination  to  evacuate  the  Jer- 
seys and  invade  Pennsylvania  by  water  from  the  sea.  He  further 
made  known  to  Carleton  and  to  the  Secretary  [Germain],  that  the 
army  which  was  to  advance  from  Canada  [under  Burgoyne]  would 
receive  but  little  assistance  from  him. — Bancroft. 


134         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

CLINTON — And,  as  I  think,  have  won  great  battles, 
worthy  of  reward. 

HOWE — And  this  reward  ?  It  is  that  I  give  myself  as 
a  wing  to  this  fledgling,  that  he  may  soar,  and  say  to  a 
gaping  world,  "  Look,  I  am  the  conqueror  of  America  !  " 
Again,  I  will  not  do  it.  I  have  asked  for  re-enforce- 
ments,  and,  where  I  expected  fifteen 
thousand,  got  but  three.  This  noble  lord 
is  mortified,  indeed,  that  my  successes  are 
tarnished  by  defeat.*  He  has  written  so. 
Who  rolls  on,  and  still  on,  to  successive 
triumphs  ?  The  highest  soaring  pinion  from 
mere  exhaustion  will  sometimes  seek  the  plain,  though  it 
mounts  again. 

CLINTON — It  is  the  fault  with  some  never  once  upon 
a  field  of  battle,  to  think  they  can  set  the  fighting  squad- 
rons best. 

CORNWALLIS — It  is  the  wisdom  of  ignorance.  The 
world  is  full  of  it. 

HOWE— Then  I  will  not  yield  to  it.  I  would  rather 
be  a  traitor  to  a  fool  than  to  my  King. 

CLINTON — General,  pardon  me  ;  you  are  rash.  You 
will  feel  less  of  injury  when  the  fever  goes.  Meantime 
let  me  counsel  moderation  both  in  speech  and  conduct. 

CORNWALLIS — As  your  friend,  I  urge  Sir  Henry's  wise 
advice. 

HOWE — I  accept  your  cooler  judgment,  gentlemen, 
and  sink  the  man  into  the  soldier.  These  are  my  plans  : 
I  leave  you  here,  Sir  Henry,  with  six  thousand,  to  keep 

*  In  May  Howe  received  letters  from  Germain,  after  the  news  of 
the  disasters  at  Trenton  and  Princeton  had  reached  England,  who 
expressed  his  mortification  that  the  brilliancy  of  Howe's  successes 
had  been  tarnished. — Bancroft. 

Germain  gave  it  as  the  King's  opinion  "that  a  'warm  diversion' 
should  be  made  upon  the  coast  of  Massachusetts."  Gen.  Howe 
answered,  "It  was  not  consistent  with  other  operations." — Ban- 
croft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.         135 

what  we  have  gained.*  Such  aid  as  you  may  give  Bur- 
goyne  be  your  affair,  not  mine.  With  the  rest  I  will 
sail  for  Philadelphia, — since  the  sea  is  more  friendly  than 
dry  land, — and  so  give  up  the  march  intended.  As  you 
know,  when  Washington  advanced  from  his  hills  in 
Morristown  to  Middlebrook,  I  offered  battle  upon  the 
plain,  which  he  declined.  I  will  not  attack  his  intrench- 


ments,  nor  move  across  New  Jersey,  with  him  on  flank 
and  rear.  It  is  now  high  summer,  and  we  can  best  show 
our  regard  for  July  the  Fourth,  become  the  day  of  honor 
with  these  proud  reformers,  by  sailing  hence  at  this 
pompous  time,  and  advancing,  as  wind  and  tide  may 
favor  us,  upon  the  town  where  was  hatched  this  ill- 
feathered  bird  of  independence.  I  will  gain  it,  or  Ger- 
main may  mortify  again  at  my  tarnished  glory. 

CLINTON — With  knowledge  of  the  grave  responsibility, 
I  assume  command  here  ;  as  so  you  honor  me. 

HOWE — Cornwallis,  you  sail  with  me. 

CORNWALLIS — Whenever  the  sails  are  bellied  by  fav- 
oring winds,  I  shall  be  found  on  board.  [All  retire. 


8  On  the  5th  of  July  Gen.  Howe,  leaving  six  thousand  men  in  New 
York  under  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  began  to  embark  the  main  body  of 
his  army  for  an  expedition  against  Philadelphia. — Bancroft. 


136         WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

SCENE  V.   Headquarters  of  GEN.  CARLETON  at  Three 
Rivers,  Canada?     Time  :  June,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  SIR  Guv  CARLETON  and  GEN.  FREDERICK 
RIEDESEL. 

CARLETON — You  men  of  Germany  must  learn  the 
field  from  us,  who  for  years  have  tramped  through  its 
briers  and  felt  the  pricking  thorns. 

RIEDESEL — An  old  soldier  can  claim  some  right  to 
judge  the  future,  from  the  weight  of  his  artillery  and 
that  opposed.  This  campaign  will  surely  end  a  wretched 
war  and  England  regain  her  own.  I  am  posing  as  a 
prophet.4 

CARLETON — And  so  have  others,  and  been  scourged, 
by  loss  of  reputation  as  seers,  for  doing  so.  You  men 
from  Brunswick  will  better  know  the  enemy  when  you 
have  met  him.  You  may  then  revise  your  prophecy. 

RIEDESEL — The  plan  of  uniting  the  army  of  Canada 
with  that  of  Howe  at  Albany,  St.  Leger  advancing 
from  the  west,  is  well  laid.  Successful  execution  must 
bring  the  end,  as  I  have  prophesied. 

CARLETON — Who  will  stand  sponsor  for  such  successful 
execution?  1  will  not.  If  you  consent,  then  great  is  your 
generosity.  I  have  tried  to  gain  the  views  of  Howe 
thereon,  and  the  cave  of  silence  is  not  more  quiet,  so 
far,  than  he.*  I  much  suspect  he  turns  his  eyes  away 
and  refuses  to  see  the  signal  of  attack  in  this  direction. 
And  I  do  not  censure  him  ;  though  between  us  there  is 
no  friendship  that  should  make  either  fret  at  the  other's 

1  It  was  at  Three  Rivers,  Canada,  that  the  British  army  in  early 
June,  1777,  held  high  revelry  ;  and  as  soon  as  it  passed  th*Canadian 
borders,  Ca'leton  ceased  to  command. 

*  "  ThN  campaign  [under  Burgoyne]  will  surely  end  the  war,"  was 
the  opinion  given  by  Riedesel. — Bancroft. 

1  Gen.  Carleton  had  tried  to  get  word  from  Howe,  and  failed. 
Gen.  Carleton  sent  out  small  bodies  of  Indians  to  gather  news  of 
Howe's  army.  Riedesel  wrote  the  Duke  of  Brunswick  [spring  of 
*777]  that  Cnrleton  had  not  the  slightest  idea  of  Howe's  plans  or  the 
whereabouts  of  his  army. —  Von  Etlking. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.         137 


injury.4  He,  as  well  as  I,  has  been  overreached  by  a 
subordinate.  This  plan  of  attack  is  mine.  Another 
would  pluck  and  wear  its  honors.5 

RIEDESEL — Gen.  Carleton,  I  came  here  to  fight  the 
enemies  of  King  George ;  not  to  mingle  in  the  quarrels 
of  his  officers. 

CARLETON — Nor  shall  you  find  any  quarrel,  with  me  a 
party.     I  obey  as  a  soldier  should,  but  not  beyond  the 
letter  of  my  supplanting  order,  stintedly  construed.     I 
have    turned    over   the 
army  of  Canada — that 
part  about  to  cross  the 
border — to   Gen.    Bur- 
goyne.       Such     is   the 
command.        He    may 
lead  it  where  and  how 
he   will,  but    I    go    not 
with  him    to   grace  his 
car.     I  remain  in  Can- 
ada, as  Gen.  Burgoyne 
knows  from  me.8 

RIEDESEL — And  so 
all  of  us  who  march 
will  share  in  a  common 
loss. 

CARLETON — In  '59  I  was  with  Wolfe  before  Quebec  ; 
and  on  my  person  bear  the  scars  of  battle  there  as  my 
credentials.  For  years  I  have  been  the  ranking  soldier 
of  the  King  in  all  America,  but  specially  have  com- 

«. 

4  Riedesel  wrote  his  sovereign  that  the  relations  between  Carleton 
and  Howe  were  very  much  strained. —  Von  Eelking. 

6  The  plan  was  Carleton's,  made  in  1776,  of  moving  the  Canadian 
army  to  Altnny,  there  to  be  joined  by  Howe  from  the  south  and 
by  an  expedi  ion  through  the  Mohawk  Valley. —  Von  Eelking. 

The  scheme  was  Caileton's,  who  outranked  Howe,  and,  on  the 
union  of  forces,  would  have  chief  command. — Bancroft. 

6  On  May  6,  1777,  Burgoyne  reached  Quebec.  Carleton  was 
amnzed  at  dispatches  censuring  his  conduct  in  the  last  campaign  ;  and 
ordering  him  to  make  over  to  an  inferior  officer  [Burgoyne]  the  com- 
mand of  the  Canadian  army  as  soon  as  it  should  cross  the  boundary 
of  the  province  of  Quebec  [Canada]. — Bancroft. 


138        WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

manded  the  Canadian  army.  Some  service  is  set  to  my 
account.  But  what  of  that  ?  A  life  of  toil  and  tri- 
umphs, such  as  the  great  Macedonian  endured  and  won, 
would  all  go  as  nothing,  should  an  unfriendly  Minister  be 
the  critic.7 

Enter  GEN.  BURGOYNE. 
RIEDESEL — Good-morning,  General.. 

BURGOYNE — Also  to  you,  Riedesel.  And  may  every 
morning  renew  a  blessing  to  you,  Gen.  Carleton  ! 

CARLETON — A  timely  salutation,  and  needed  much 
by  me. 

BURGOYNE — I  am  sure  you  would  not  scold  Dame 
Fortune,  who  has  crowned  an  honored  brow  so 
lavishly. 

CARLETON — And  yet,  sometimes,  her  good  intent  will 
fail,  counterpoised  by  the  bad  intent  of  others. 

BURGOYNE — We  all  meet  disappointments.  Constant 
pleasures  sicken,  as  continued  sweets  would  do.  Variety 
is  the  new  birth  of  daily  life,  and  rescues  the  humblest 
from  monotony.  Too  smooth  a  road  is  tiresome,  as  one 
too  rough,  and  the  reason  in  each  the  same. 

CARLETON — A  soldier  seldom  finds  his  road  too 
smooth. 

BURGOYNE — I  trust,  Gen.  Carleton,  to  yourself  per- 
taining, I  am  free  from  the  charge  of  any  act  that 
roughens  it. 

CARLETON — I  am  without  evidence,  and  so  acquit 
you.  But  this  1  know  :  You  have  my  command  ;  how 
you  gained  it,  while  I  was  at  the  post  of  duty  here  and 
you  in  London,  three  thousand  miles  away,  you  can 
better  answer. 

BURGOYNE — Do  you  doubt  me  in  this  ?  Or  do  you 
put  in  question  my  loyalty  to  you,  whom  so  long  I  fol- 
lowed with  most  willing  steps  ? 

7  Carleton  answered  with  passionate  recrimination  the  reproaches 
of  Germain. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION,         1.39 

CARLETON — I  know  not  whom  to  doubt  or  question. 
But  I  shall  know  in  time.  The  guilty  man  shall  answer 
to  me  for  this  affront,  even  though  he  be  a  Minister  of 
the  King. 

BURGOYNE — I  regret  that  thus  you  arraign  Germain  ; 
for  to  him,  as  I  perceive,  you  point.8 

CARLETON — He  has  censured  me  ;  and,  after,  deprived 
me  of  command  as  one  unfit  to  lead.  That  command  is 
now  yours.  May  you  have  honor  in  keeping  it  ! 

BURGOYNE — And  the  honor  in  keeping  it,  no  whit 
outweigh  the  honor  in  obtaining  it  !  And  both  be  as 
two  rills  that,  flowing  through  the  land,  are  each  unto 
the  other  a  counterpart  in  clear  and  sparkling  volume. 

CARLETON — You  sing  in  a  lofty  strain.  You  were 
with  the  King  and  his  advisers  when  1  fell  from  the 
grace  of  all.  He  who  seeks  a  place  which  royalty  may 
give,  it  is  better  for  him  to  bombard  a  prince's  ears  than 
a  battery  of  hostile  guns. 

BURGOYNE  [grasping  the  hilt  of  his  sword~\ — Gen. 
Carleton,  your  words  convey  a  meaning  for  which  the 
speaker  should  feel  resentment  from  this  blade,  did  they 
fall  from  other  lips. 

RIEDESEL  [stepping  between  theni\ — When  two  com- 
manders of  such  rank  assail  each  other,  both  injure  a 
prop  that  upholds  a  throne. 

BURGOYNE — Gen.  Riedesel,  if  you  are  ready,  we  will 
join  the  army  and  move  at  once  upon  our  expedition. 
The  Avives  and  families  of  officers,  who  so  desire,  have 
permission  to  attend  our  march,  since  no  danger  can 
threaten  them.0  [All  retire. 

8  See  Note  7. 

'  Officers'  wives  attended  their  husbands,  promising  themselves  an 
agreeable  trip. — Bancroft. 


140         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

SCENE  VI.  Encampment  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk,  near 
Fort  Stanwix.     Time:  August,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  BENEDICT  ARNOLD  and  COL.  STANDISH. 

ARNOLD — We  need  go  no   further  at  such  breathless 
pace.     Herkimer   has  paralyzed   this  arm  of  Burgoyne 
without  our  aid.     Fort    Stanwix 
has   not  yielded,   but    St.   Leger 
has,  and  is  now  in  full  retreat. 

STANDISH  —  Glorious      news  ! 
From  what  source  obtained  ? 

ARNOLD — A  scout  just  in  re- 
'  ports  it.  In  ambuscade  of  sav- 
age warriors  at  Oriskany,  Herki- 
mer was  sorely  pressed,  till 
Gansevoort  sent  relief  from  the 
fort  upon  the  report  to  him  of 
the  approach  and  battle.  This  changed  the  conflict. 
The  Indians  carried  some  scalps  away,  but  left  in  death 
many  of  their  braves  as  recompense. 

STANDISH — Schuyler  will  find  in  this  great  solace  for 
all  his  troubles,  and  they  are  many. 

ARNOLD — The  plan  to  strike  the  enemy  and  wound 
him  here  was  wise.  Our  march  back  to  Albany  will  be 
quickened  from  the  news  we  carry.1 

Enter  a  MESSENGER. 

MESSENGER — I  am  sent  to  you,  Gen.  Arnold,  to  make 
report. 

ARNOLD — You  may  give  it  here.     Who  sends  you  ? 
MESSENGER — Col.   Gansevoort.      After  the    fight  at 

1  Gen.  Schuyler  [now  end  of  July,  1777,  again  in  command  of  the 
Northern  army  over  Gales]  had  ordered  Gen.  Arnold  [as  suggested 
by  Washington],  with  a  Massachusetts  brigade,  to  go  to  the  relief  of 
Fort  Stanwix,  defended  by  Col.  Gansevoort  against  St.  Leger. — 
Stone's  Burgoyne' s  Exp. ,  etc. 

In  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  the  savages  fought  with  wild  valor. 
But  thirty-three  and  more  among  them,  the  chief  warriors  of  the 
Senecas,  lay  dead  beneath  the  trees. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.          141 

Oriskany, — where  slaughter  sought  the  Indian  as  if 
death's  favorite, — by  savage  scouts  reports  were  carried 
to  St.  Leger  that  you  were  approaching,  many  thou- 
sand strong.  Whether  true  or  false,  the  end  was  that, 
panic-stricken,  these  red-skinned  allies  of  the  English 
swept  from  their  General's  hands  all  authority.  They 
turned  in  plunder  upon  the  men  they  served,  and  many 
a  British  soldier  now  mourns  their  contact.  St.  Leger, 
infected  with  the  fear,  followed  them  in  retreat.  When 
this  flight  began,  you,  with  such  force  as  you  may  lead, 
were  yet  forty  miles  away.  Tents,  artillery,  and  stores 
are  left  to  us.a 

ARNOLD — Then  we  have  not  marched  in  vain.  Upon 
my  head  be  the  guilt  of  the  false  rumor  that  did  an 
army's  labor.  While  marching  hither — this  you  may 
report  to  Gansevoort — Hon-Yost  was  taken  as  a  spy 
and  condemned,  as  such,  to  die.  His  mother,  an  Indian 
witch  or  gypsy,  begged  his  life,  which  I  gave  back  on 
condition  that  he  carry  the  tale  into  St.  Leger's  camp, 
now  by  you  reported.3  For  surety,  his  brother  was  held 
as  hostage.  He  has  done  his  work.  The  brother  gains 
his  freedom ;  and  the  fortune-telling  mother  may  now 
resume  her  ghostly  task  of  turning  the  mirror  of  the 
future  to  the  present  eye.  If  Deception  were  a  deity, 
and  did  good  like  this,  I'd  worship  her.  Here  we  find 

*  Long  before  Arnold,  with  his  relief  expedition,  approached,  an 
Indian  ran  into  St.  Leger's  camp,  reporting  that  a  thousand  men 
were  coming  against  them.  Another,  and  still  another,  Indian 
came,  increasing  the  number  to  thousands.  The  wild  warriors 
turned  to  the  robbery  of  British  officers  and  made  off.  St.  Leger, 
in  a  panic,  followed,  though  Arnold  was  yet  forty  miles  away. — 
Bancroft. 

8  On  the  journey  to  Foit  Stanwix,  Arnold  had  captured  a  half- 
witted fellow  named  Hon-Yost  Schuyler,  who  had  spent  his  life 
among  the  Indians.  He  was  condemned  to  die.  His  mother  im- 
plored Arnold  to  spare  his  life.  The  old  woman  was  a  gypsy  in 
character,  and  pleaded  with  eloquence  and  pathos.  Arnold  con- 
sented that  Hon-Yost  should  live  on  condition  that  Hon-Yost  should 
hasten  to  the  camp  of  St.  Leger  and  so  alarm  him  that  he  would  fly. 
The  mother  offered  herself  as  hostage,  but  his  brother  was  accepted, 
and  Hon-Yost  undertook  the  task.  Hon-Yost  did  as  agreed,  and  the 
ruse  succeeded.  Hon-Yost  then  gave  Gansevoort  his  first  infor- 
mation of  the  advance  of  Arnold. — Stone's  Burgoync's  Exp,,  etc. 


142         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

rich  recompense  for  tiresome  days  of  tramping  through 
trackless  forests.     And  how  fares  gallant  Herkimer  ? 

MESSENGER — Wounded,  he  refused  to  leave  while  the 
fight  was  on.  Supported  by  a  tree,  he  ordered  the  battle 
to  the  end.  Though  yet  alive,  his  wound  is  mortal.4 

ARNOLD — I  wish  that  part  had  been  left  untold  ;  for  it 
is  a  heavy  cloud  upon  a  radiant  sky.  To  him,  in  such  a 
death,  is  all  the  gain,  and  the  loss  is  ours.  Most  favored 
of  mortals,  he,  to  strike,  and,  striking,  win  the  first 
blow  in  this  last  campaign  of  tyranny.  Wounded  aixl 
dying,  he  would  not  leave  the  fight  while  yet  life's  cur- 
rent run — it  was  thus  you  made  report— and  that  stop- 
ping, he  mounts  to  bivouac  eternal.  Immortal  sacrifice  ! 
In  years  to  come,  little  children  upon  their  sire's  knee 
will  be  told  this  tale,  and,  wondering,  lisp  "  Brave 

Herkimer  !  "  Gray- 
beards  tottering  un- 
der the  load  of 
years,  when  they  re- 
peat the  story  o'er 
and  o'er  a  thousand 
times,  with  rekind- 
ling  eye  will  add 
1  -^F~*  at  close,  to  round 
their  eulogy: 
"  Grand  Old  Her- 
kimer ! "  Beware, 
Burgoyne  !  Trem- 
ble at  the  name  of 
Herkkner  !  He  yet  fights  on,  for  deathless  is  his  exam- 
ple. This  August  heat  glows  with  good  news.  Then 
let  it  rage  and  burn  its  blessings  upon  our  submissive 
heads  ! 

MESSENGER — In  this  battle  was  raised  over  the  fort 
the  banner  of  the  Republic,  last  June  adopted.  Thir- 

4  Herkimer  [in  the  battle  of  Oriskany  of  August  6,  1777]  fell, 
wounded  below  the  knee  ;  but  he  remained  on  the  ground  giving 
orders  to  the  end.  He  was  placed  against  the  trunk  of  a  tree  for 
support,  and  thus  continued  the  battle. — Stone's  Burgoyne 's  Exp.,  etc. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.        143 

teen  stripes  of  red  and  white,  and  thirteen  stars  upon  a 
ground  of  blue.5 

STANDISH — Why,  this  is  the  baptism  of  our  flag. 
Emblem  of  free  men,  thus  saluted,  its  destiny  be  the 
engirdled  globe  ! 

ARNOLD — To  our  troops,  the  command — on,  on  to 
grasp  the  hand  of  honest  Gansevoort — and  then  right 
about  and  back  to  Albany  ;  there  to  finish  with  the 
invader,  so  badly  crippled  here.  \All  retire. 


SCENE  VII.   Camp  of  GEN.  BURGOYNE  on  the  Hudson 
at  Fort  Edward.     Time:  August,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  BURGOYNE,  COL.  BAUM,  andCo-L.  BREYMAN. 

BURGOYNE — Thus  far  we  have  advanced  into  the  heart 
of  opposition  without  a  pause.  As  once  before,  Crown 
Point  has  fallen,  but  this  time  has  been  held.  Fraser 
and  Riedesel,  refusing  to  sit  in  idleness  when  other 
trophies  there  were  to  win,  moved  on  and  captured 
Ticonderoga,  with  stores  and  prisoners.1  This  without 
a  gun  to  speak  for  its  surrender.  My  proclamation  that 
this  army  would  not  retreat,  time  and  our  march  defend  !  * 

COL.  BAUM — But  at  great  labor,  General.  We  have 
been  an  army  of  axmen,  hewing  our  roads  through  for- 
ests which  even  the  savage  could  not  enter.  Our  soldiers 
are  much  worn,  having  much  endured. 

BURGOYNE — Rest  will  ease  the  pains  of  their  tedious 
labors,  which  have  given  muscle  as  well  as  patience. 

6  The  captured  colors  [taken  from  the  British  in  a  sortie  from  Fort 
Stanwix]  were  displayed  on  the  fort  under  the  Continental  flag 
[adopted  by  Congress  in  June  previous],  the  first  time  a  captured 
banner  had  floated  under  the  Stars  and  Stripes. — Bancroft. 

'On  the  soth  of  June,  1777,  the  army  [British]  occupied  Crown 
Point.  Gen.  Fraser  pushed  forward  to  Ticonderoga.  On  July  i 
Gen.  Riedesel  followed.  Ticonderoga  surrendered  without  a  gun. — 
Stone's  Burgoyne's  Exp.,  etc. 

4  In  the  evening  [June  30,  at  Crown  Point]  Burgoyne  issued  his 
proclamation  :  "  This  army  embarks  to-morrow  to  approach  the 
enemy.  This  army  must  not  retreat." — Stone's  Burgoyne  s  Exp.,  etc, 


144         WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

August  is  yet  young,  and  in  this  month  we  will  prepare 
for  the  end  we  seek  in  the  month  that  follows. 

BREYMAN — My  soldiers  are  pleading  for  more  food. 
Before  us,  as  we  have  advanced,  the  land  has  been  swept 
and  barren  left,  as  if  nothing  thrived  but  trees.* 

BURGOYNE. — At  Bennington,  near  at  hand,  are  maga- 
zines which  would  feed  our  soldiers.  Col.  Baum,  will 
you  take  a  detachment  of  your  faithful  Brunswickers 
and  bring  home  these  needed  stores  ?  A  support  of 
savages  will  help  you  much,  for  this  people  dread  the 
tomahawk,  from  terrible  experience.  The  red  children 
of  our  King  have  brought  us  many  scalps,  and  Brant, 
their  leader,  moves  them  as  a  demon,  in  ways  of 
slaughter. 

COL.  BAUM — I  will  march  at  once.  A  Brunswicker  is 
always  ready  to  obey  his  prince  !  And  here  you  stand 
with  his  authority. 

BURGOYNE — This  land  you  visit  is  rich  in  horses.  Our 
cavalry  have  suffered.  If  you  will  gather  in  about  a 
thousand,  and  bring  them  with  you  when  you  come 
trooping  back,  we  will  hail  you  homeward  with  greater 
obligations.4 

COL.  BAUM — Expect  me  back  with  this  evidence  of 
loyalty  to  England's  King  !  \Exit  COL.  BAUM. 

BREYMAN — I  trust  that  Baum  will  return  with  well- 
filled  sacks,  for  the  need  is  great.  Supplies  from  Eng- 
land, following  our  tramp,  is  not  assuring  ;  and  it  would 
take  time  to  gather  them. 

BURGOYNE — We  have  gone  too  far,  been  too  success- 
ful, for  apprehension  now. 

BREYMAN — I  will  give  promise  to  my  soldiers  of  relief, 
as  I  have  such  from  you.  \Exit  BREYMAN. 

1  Schuyler,  in  falling  back  from  Ticonderoga,  had  devastated  the 
country. 

4  To  aid  St.  Leger  by  a  diversion,  and  fill  his  camp  and  gain  horses, 
ca' tie,  and  provisions  from  the  magazines  at  Bennington,  Burgoyne, 
on  the  nth  of  August,  sent  an  expedition  there  under  Col.  Baum. — 
Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


145 


BURGOYNE — I  have  left  open  no  road  for  retreat  ;  so 
we  must  go  forward.  It  is  not  supplies  that  give  me 
anxiety.  Where  is  St.  Leger  ?  This  is  the  grave 
question.  Can  he  have  failed  ? 
With  his  well-armed  veterans 
against  this  mob  ;  I'll  not  believe 
it!  And  Howe  cannot,  or  he  will 
not,  respond  !  Like  Carleton,  is 
he,  too,  nursing  his  hate  at  the 
rise  of  a  younger  soldier?'  If 
this  be  true,  so  much  greener  will 
be  the  bays  I  wear,  gained  without 
their  aid  !  Burgoyne,  your  star 
is  rising  to  mid-heaven.  When  in  the  zenith  there  it 
shall  remain  !  [Retires. 


SCENE  VIII.  Camp  of  GEN.  STARK,  near  Bennington^  Vt. 
Time:  August  16,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  STARK,  with  soldiers. 

STARK — Bennington  is  saved  !  On  front  and  right 
we  have  given  our  leaden  salutations  to  these  hirelings  ! 
They  do  not  like  our  hospitality,  and  would  fly  from  it 
if  they  could.  Their  savage  allies  have  left  them  to 
fate  and  fled  to  refuge  !  Their  cannon  cease  to  belch 
in  thunder,  as  our  marksmen  have  picked  from  them 
the  cannoneers  !  Baum,  the  commander,  is  dead,  and 
his  fate  be  that  of  all ! l 

Enter  an  AID  in  great  haste. 
AID  \to  GEN.  STARK] — Heavy  re-enforcements  have 

6  Burgoyne  had  asked  Carleton  to  garrison  Ticonderoga  for  him. 
Carleton  refused,  and  left  Burgoyne  to  drain  the  life-blood  of  his 
army  for  the  garrison. — Bancroft. 

1  On  August  1 6  Stark  concerted  with  his  officers  the  plan  of  the  day. 
At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Baum  [at  Bennington]  was  assailed 
in  front  and  right.  New  England  sharpshooters  picked  off  the  can- 
noneers and  the  Indians  fled.  Baum  fell  mortally  wounded. — Ban- 
croft. 


146         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


just  arrived,  and  I  learn  that  Col.  Br^yman  leads  them. 
They  are  worn  with  a  rapid  march. 

STARK — Carry  word  to  Warner  to  bring  his  regiment 
into  action.  [Am  retires. 

Now  is  the  hour  to  send  these  new  arrivals  up  to 
heaven,  while  the  fatigues  of  this  world  are  on  them ; 
and  so  give  them  in  the  next  much  needed  rest ! 
Soldiers,  there  come  the  enemy  !  Every  man  look  well 
to  his  priming,  and  see  to  it  that  not  a  bullet  fails  ! 
To-day  we  conquer,  or  this  night  Molly  Stark  shall  sleep 
a  widow  !  Charge!1 

[All  rush  off  the  stage  upon  the  enemy. 

[A  group  of  savage  warriors,  plumed  and  armed, 

and  shouting  the  war-whoop,  fly  panic-stricken 

across  the   stage.     These   are  followed  by  a 

company  of  English  soldiers,  also  in  flight. 

Re-enter  GEN.  STARK. 

STARK — The  cowards  fly,  and  like  stricken  deer  make 
for  a  place  of  safety  !  The  artillery,  the  field,  and  a 

thousand  prisoners  re- 
main !  Accursed  min- 
ions of  a  tyrant  King, 
this  is  your  welcome 
upon  freemen's  soil ! 

Re-enter  soldiers. 

Men  of  New  Eng- 
land, gathered  to  re- 
pel invasion,  you  have 
made  this  spot  forever 
to  be  honored  by  your 
valor!  Burgoyne  must 
stagger,  here  hit  with 
a  vital  wound,  and  if  he  falls  it  is  your  hands  that  helped 
to  smite  him  down  !  Upon  the  calendar  be  this  August 

1  Breyman  came  upto  re-enforce  Baum,  with  troops  much  fatigued. 
Warner  came  up  just  now  with  a  fresh  regiment,  and  with  it  Stark 
began  a  new  attack.  The  fight  raged  till  sunset,  when  the  British 
fled  in  retreat. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OK    THE  REVOLUTION.         14? 

day  marked  for  a  memorial  of  brave  deeds,  done  for  the 
liberty  of  man  !  Carry  its  report  wherever  winds  may 
blow,  that  this  much  we  do  for  Washington  and  Inde- 
pendence !  \Cheers\.  And  now  home  again  to  our 
neglected  fields.  March  !  \All  retire. 


SCENE  IX.  Room  in  house  of  GEN.  PHILIP  SCHUYLER,  at 
Albany.      Time:  August  19,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

SCHUYLER — In  the  crowning  hour  of  my  success 
Congress  again  supplants  me  in  command.  From  May 
till  August  I  have  planned  to  conquer  the  common 
enemy,  and  all  this  while  Gates  has  planned  to  conquer 
me.  Each  of  us  has  been  successful.  On  this  igth 
day  of  August  I  yield  to  him  this  army.  Shall  I  now 
feel  wounded  because  my  rival  wins  ?  Perish  the 
thought,  worthy  of  basest  mortals  !  By  greater  support 
to  him,  in  loyalty  to  our  cause — thus  overtopping  all 
personal  resentments — I  win  greater  laurels  than  the 
sword  can  gain  !  Oriskany  and  Bennington  both  remain 
as  loud-tongued  champions  of  my  rule,  this  day  ended, 
and  so  they  must  remain  forever.  I  bow  to  the  au- 
thority of  the  state,  as  expressed  in  Congress,  without  a 
murmur ! ' 

Enter  GEN.  HORATIO  GATES. 

Gen.  Gates,  I  welcome  you  with  all  my  heart  to  what 
was  my  headquarters  of  the  Northern  Continental  Army 
— now  yours,  if  you  will  choose  it ! 

'On  the  ^.th  of  August,  1777,  Congress  appointed  Gates  again  to 
supersede  Schuyler  in  the  Northern  Army.  But  before  Gates  as- 
sumed command  Fort  Stanwix  was  safe  and  the  victory  of  Benning- 
ton achieved.  Gates  did  not  assume  command  till  August  19. 
Schuyler  proffered  his  services  to  the  General  by  whom  he  was 
superseded,  and  heartily  wished  him  success.  Congress  ordered 
Washington  to  send  to  Gates  Morgan's  corps  of  riflemen  [besides  the 
other  troops  theretofore  sent],  and  Washington  promptly  obeyed. — 
Bancroft. 


148         WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


GATES — Your  kindness,  Gen.  Schuyler,  is  no  more 
than  I  might  anticipate  ;  knowing,  as  all  do,  your  fidelity 
to  the  Republic,  to  the  check  of  all  other  feelings! 

SCHUYLER — To-day,  and  now,  I  formally  withdraw 
from  the  command.  And  as  my  successor,  I  tender  to 
you  all  aid  and  obedience  in  our  common  purpose  to 
defeat  the  invaders  of  our  country. 

GATES — I  thank  you  ;  and  will  draw  heavily  upon  that 
nobility  of  character  which  never  yet  has  failed. 

SCHUYLER — I  am  ready  to  explain  my  plan  for  resist- 
ing Burgoyne  when  he  offers  battle,  as  soon  he  must. 
These  you  will  follow  or  change, 
as  your  better  judgment  may 
direct.  From  the  day  he  left 
Canada  I  have  had  the  land 
before  him  swept,  as  if  the 
great  Sahara  had  here  a  sister 
in  desolation.  He  must  starve  or 
fight ;  and  fighting,  he  must  fall. 
GATES — To-morrow  we  will 
confer  together  upon  this  mat- 
ter. I  shall  be  fortunate  if  these 
plans  for  the  future  be  as  effective  as  those  against  St. 
Leger  and  Gen.  Baum.  And  still  more  fortunate,  if  I 
may  execute  them. 

SCHUYLER — To-morrow  I  shall  be  at  your  service, 
Gen.  Gates.  [All  retire. 


SCENE  X.  Camp  of  GEN.  WASHINGTON  at  ChadcTs  Fora 
on  the  Brandy  wine.      Time  :  September  1 1,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  SULLIVAN,  GEN.  GREENE,  and  MARQUIS  DE 
LAFAYETTE. 

SULLIVAN — What  day  is  this  ?  and  what  name  does 
this  place  carry  ? 

LAFAYETTE — The  nth  of  September.  This  spot  is 
called  Chadd's  Ferry  on  the  Brandywine. 

GREENE— On    the    26th    of    August    Howe    reached 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.      149 

the  Elk  with  his  eyes  upon  Philadelphia.     The  hawk  is 
fluttering  above  his  prey. 

LAFAYETTE — I  deem  it  a  gift  of  some  good  angel  that 
I  may  help  to  check  his  march.  And  I  am  not  the  only 
foreigner  to  this  soil,  who  to-day  thus  rejoices.  Casimir 
Pulaski  will  draw  his  sword,  and,  like  all  Poles  without 
a  country,  he  will  win  a  country  here  or  gain  a  grave.1 

SULLIVAN — Howe  comes  on  with  twenty  thousand  ; 
and  we  oppose  with  but  half  that  number. 

LAFAYETTE — And  yet  we  should  win  the  day,  finding 
safety  in  the  justice  of  our  quarrel.  In  July  last  Col. 
Barton  carried  to  captivity  Gen.  Prescott  from  the  very 
front  of  his  command.  Numbers  opposed  checked  him 
not.  It  was  a  desperate  act, born  of  desperate  courage. 
Such  honor  brave  men  envy." 

SULLIVAN — If  we  had  the  troops  which  would  be  here 
but  for  timid  tongues  clamoring  at  the  North,  no  fear 
need  shake  us.  Morgan  and  his  riflemen  have  been  sent 
to  Gates.  Schuyler  plead  in  vain.3 

GREENE — Schuyler's  fall  was  illumined  by  Oriskany 
and  Bennington.  So  a  departing  day,  with  gorgeous 
tinting,  flashes  in  the  rays  of  a  brilliant  sun. 

SULLIVAN — His  loss  of  Ticonderoga,  and  his  desper- 
ate cries  for  help  in  terror  of  Burgoyne,  unhorsed  him. 
Congress  sought  a  firmer  hand.  But  since,  Gates  calls 
with  as  loud  a  voice,  and  Washington  replies  at  his  own 
cost  of  veteran  soldiers.  With  raw  militia,  whose  train- 
ing has  been  upon  some  village  green,  in  the  vanity  of 
their  belief  focusing  the  eyes  of  all  the  world  upon  their 
strut  and  showy  uniforms,  must  we  drive  home  these 
veterans  of  a  hundred  conflicts. 

1  The  battle  of  Brandy  wine  was  the  first  battle  in  which  Lafayette 
drew  his  sword  in  the  American  cause.  Count  Pulaski,  a  Polish 
nobleman,  was  also  in  this  battle. — Frost. 

*  Gen.  Prescott,  commander  of  the  British  forces  in  Rhode  Island, 
had  his  quarters  at  a  farmhouse  a  mile  from  his  troops.  On  the 
night  of  the  loth  of  July,  1777,  Col.  Barton,  with  a  few  volunteers, 
captured  him  and  hurried  him  away  a  prisoner. — Bancroft. 

8  See  Note  I,  Scene  9. 


15°         WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

Enter  WASHINGTON. 

WASHINGTON — Here,  directly  in  the  path  of  Gen. 
Howe,  will  we  make  our  stand.  Here  fling  out  our 
banners  and  be  shield  to  Philadelphia.  We  contest  his 
privilege  to  cross  this  river  flowing  at  our  front.  The 
rapids  below  Chadd's  Ford  help  us  on  the  left,  which  we 
intrust  to  the  militia.  The  forests  along  the  Brandy- 
wine  join  with  the  current  to  protect  in  that  direction. 
On  the  right  will  come  the  struggle  which  makes  or  mars 
this  day,  and,  Gen.  Sullivan,  I  intrust  this  point  to  you.4 

SULLIVAN — I  shall  make  effort  to  deserve  the  confi- 
dence so  reposed. 

WASHINGTQN — From  information,  to  me  reliable,  Gen. 
Howe,  attended  by  Cornwallis,  marched  this  morning 
with  more  than  half  his  power  up  the  valley,  intending 
to  cross  the  Brandywine  to  our  side  ;  and  then  moving 
down,  to  strike  the  right  wing  of  our  line.  Since  we  are 
owners  in  this  land,  and  he  a  visitor,  we  will  play  the 
generous  host  and  anticipate  his  visit.  Across  this 
stream,  and  in  front  of  us,  encamp  the  battalions  he  has 
left  behind.  Here  he  is  vulnerable,  and  at  this  spot  may 
be  wounded  mortally,  if  no  move  fails  in  this  bloody 
game.  Go,  Sullivan,  and  at  a  point  above  cross  the 
Brandywine  to  the  shore  of  Howe,  before  he  visits  us, 
and  take  your  place  between  him  and  those  whom  he  has 
left.  And  then  see  to  it  with  all  your  strength,  that  he 
may  not  return  to  aid  his  mewing  kittens  while  we,  with 
tigers'  claws,  are  tearing  them.  He  will  surely  strive  to 
retrace  his  march  when  he  hears  of  your  position.  You 
have  force  enough  to  hold  him  back,  and  that  done 
means  his  present  overthrow.' 

4  On  the  8th  of  September  Howe  sent  a  strong  column  in  front  of 
the  Americans  to  feign  an  attack.  On  the  morrow  he  intended  to 
turn  Washington's  right.  Washington  had  divined  his  purpose,  and 
took  a  position  above  Chadd's  Ford  [in  the  Brandywine],  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Brandywine,  directly  in  Howe's  path. — Bancroft. 

6  Washington  had  certain  information  of  the  movement  of  Howe, 
and  resolved  to  strike  at  once  at  the  division  in  front.  Sending  Sul- 
livan to  cross  the  Brandywine  at  a  higher  ford,  and  to  prevent  the 
hasty  return  of  Howe,  and  to  threaten  Knyphausen  (who  was  left  in 
front  of  Washington),  the  movement  began.  The  Brandywine  (on 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


SULLIVAN — This  shall  be  done.          [Exit  SULLIVAN. 

WASHINGTON — Greene,  put  your  troops  in  motion  and 
assail  in  front.  The  river  here  is  shallow.  You  have  an 
easy  conquest,  for  these 
Hessians  whom  you  meet 
are  much  encumbered,  and 
surprise  may  give  birth  to 
panic.  In  straits  of  dan- 
ger the  unexpected  sick- 
ens judgment,  and  leaves 
it  smitten  with  overcrowd- 
ing doubts,  each  point- 
ing a  threatening  spear. 
This  indecision  is  the 
javelin  which  we  now 
invoke. 

GREENE — Knyphausen  commands  these  Hessians 
opposite.  I  hope  I  may  induce  him  to  come  home 
with  me.'  [Exit  GREENE. 

WASHINGTON — Lafayette,  will  you  join  Pulaski,  now 
in  his  tent,  and  both  report  for  service  to  Gen.  Sterling, 
who  is  on  the  right.  There  may  be  work  to  test  your 
metal  before  the  sun  goes  down. 

[Exit  LAFAYETTE. 

If  we  gain  this  day,  and  I  see  no  sign  otherwise,  then 
shall  we  send  greetings  to  the  North  worthy  of  those 
received.  Herkimer  and  Stark  have  there  clipped  either 
hostile  wing,  and  against  his  retreat — if  this  hawk  flies 
that  way — the  wide-extended  cage  is  firmly  closed.  So  at 
last  this  high-soaring  pinion  falls  into  the  fowler's  net, 
that  is  spread  in  front  and  rear.  Burgoyne  marches  to 
defeat,  else  argument  mocks  at  its  just  conclusions.  He 
comes  in  pomp  to  hear  the  linnet  sing,  and  he  shall  stay 
to  hear  the  lion  roar. 

the  left)  below  Chadd's  Ford  was  a  rapid,  and  the  militia  was  placed 
there.  Sullivan,  who  was  sent  up  the  river  on  the  right,  where  he 
was  to  cross,  was  hidden  by  a  thick  wood  along  the  river.  Greene 
was  ordered  to  make  the  attack  in  front,  and  was  at  the  water's  edge 
about  to  begin. — Bancroft. 
« See  Note  5. 


IS*         WASHINGTON,    OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

Enter  AID,  in  great  haste. 

WASHINGTON — In  your  face  I  read  bad  news.  What 
has  gone  wrong  ? 

AID — I  hope  all  goes  well,  your  Excellency.  At  least, 
I  come  not  to  croak  disaster.  I  am  from  Gen.  Sullivan 
to  say  that  he  has  disobeyed  your  orders,  as  he  finds  no 
proof  of  the  march  of  Howe,  as  you  have  been  in- 
formed.7 

WASHINGTON — Oh  !  The  most  dismal  news  that 
courier  could  bring.  Orders  disobeyed,  and  in  that  act 
ruin  threatened.  The  sky  so  full  of  promise,  without  a 
note  of  warning,  now  suddenly  hurtles  its  bolts  of  danger. 
And  all  because  some  subordinate  assumes  to  revise  his 
chief  and  to  disobey  his  orders.  Quick,  to  Gen.  Greene, 
now  at  the  river  bank  in  front,  and  say  he  must  not  ad- 
vance, but  report  at  once  to  me.  Quick — speed  is  life, 
and  death  may  be  in  tardy  steps."  \Exit  AID. 

What  cruel  demon  has  come  to  check  us  here,  wreck- 
ing highest  expectations  ? 

Enter  AID  in  haste. 

Out  with  it !    What  new  thrust  comes  again  to  wound  ? 

AID — Gen.  Stevens  sends  me  to  say  that  Cornwallis 
has  crossed  the  Brandywine  and  in  great  force,  upon 
this  shore,  is  moving  to  turn  our  right. 

WASHINGTON — As  I  expected.  To  Sullivan  at  once  ! 
Ride  as  horse  never  before  was  driven,  and  direct  him, 
from  me,  to  form  at  once  across  this  advance,  and  to 
check  it.  To  check  it,  if  strong  hearts  can  do  so.' 

[Exit  AID. 

Oh,    Sullivan  !    Sullivan  !     The  air  infected  is,  and 

1  Just  as  Greene  was  to  begin  the  attack  a  messenger  came  from 
Sullivan,  announcing  that  he  had  disobeyed  his  orders  ;  as  the  "  in- 
formation [to  Washington]  on  which  these  orders  were  founded  must 
be  wrong." — Bancroft. 

8  Washington's  information   was  correct  ;   but   Sullivan's   failure 
upset  all  the  plans.     Greene  was  at  once  recalled. — Bancroft. 

9  After  two  hours  word  was  brought  that   Cornwallis  and  Howe 
had  passed  the  forks  on  the  right  [as  they  planned],  and  were  then 
marching  [on  the  north  side  of  the  river]  against  Washington's  right. 
Sullivan  was  ordered  to  confront  this  advance. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         153 

disease  breathed  upon  a  healthy  brain,  when  a  man 
so  good  does  a  wrong  so  great  !  Had  you  obeyed  your 
orders  and  crossed  to  the  other  shore,  Cornwallis  had 


not  been   free  to  come  to  this.     He   must   then  have 
turned  to  assist  divisions  which  your  guns  cut  off. 

Enter  AID,  in  haste. 

And  still  a  running  current  of  choking  seas.  It  must 
be  breasted  with  head  above  the  waves,  or  all  is  lost. 
Speak  !  I  am  prepared  to  hear. 

AID — On  the  right,  Gen.  Sullivan  with  Generals 
Stevens  and  Sterling,  with  the  main  body  of  the  British 
are  heavily  engaged.  Gen.  Howe  has  joined  Cornwallis. 
With  heavier  weight  opposed,  our  lines  waver  and  may 
give  way.  Lafayette  is  wounded. 

WASHINGTON — If  that  noble  youth  is  wounded,  then 
so  am  I,  for  I  am  drawn  to  him.  See  to  it  that  the  best 
of  surgeons  here  plies  his  skill.  [Exit  AID. 

Howe,  under  cover  of  this  attack,  will  move  to  our 
rear.  This  must  not  happen  while  a  soldier  is  left  in 
arms. 

Enter  GEN.  GREENE. 

[To  GREENE] — Fly,  General,  to  the  support  of  Sulli- 
van, now  engaged  with  Howe  and  Cornwallis.  With 


154         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

all  your  force,  and  Heaven  give  to  each  arm  a  giant's 
strength  !  The  night  comes  too  slowly  on.  Its  darkness 
is  worth  ten  thousand  men.  Stop  !  This  is  a  trying 
moment,  when  all  is  put  to  hazard.  My  army  is  in  peril ; 
to  save  it,  I  risk  myself.  Greene,  I  go  with  you,  and 
in  person  will  lead  your  soldiers.  And  now  away,  to 
change  the  fortunes  of  misfortune's  day.10  [All  retire. 


SCENE   XI.    Street  in  Philadelphia.       Time:    September 
26.  1777. 

Enter  British  troops  with  flags  and  beating  drums.     GEN. 
CORNWALLIS  and  a  CITIZEN.     Troops  halt. 

CORNWALLIS — And  thus  we  victoriously  enter  the 
City  of  Independence.  Where  now  are  these  boasters  of 
human  rights,  these  pullers  down  of  kings  ?  I  am  told 
that  they  have  fled.  Sir,  tell  me  whither  have  they 
gone  ? 

CITIZEN — If  you  refer  to  the  American  Congress,  it 
has  adjourned  to  Lancaster.  Alarmed  by  the  report  of 
your  success  at  Brandywine,  it  moved  away.1 

CORNWALLIS — Our  success  there  was  not  so  great  as 
our  plan  provided.  We  expected  to  bring  the  Conti- 
nental army  into  this  town  as  prisoners — to  follow  our 
cohorts  as  captives  in  a  Caesarian  triumph.  All  was 
favorable  at  Brandywine,  until  Washington  came  upon 
the  field,  and  then  we  advanced  no  further.  Our  pur- 
suit was  checked,  and  we  were  glad  to  hold  what  we  had 
when  the  sun  went  down.  We  did  no  more.  On  the 
morning  Washington  was  gone.  So  stood  affairs,  till 

10  Generals  Sterling  and  Stevens  were  hotly  pressed  by  Howe  and 
Cornwallis.  Lafayette  was  wounded.  But  at  the  sound  of  the  can- 
non on  the  right,  Washington,  taking  Greene  with  him,  moved  swiftly 
to  the  support  of  Sullivan  and  met  him  in  full  retreat.  Washington's 
approach  checked  the  pursuit.  Darkness  ended  the  contest. — Ban- 
croft. 

'On  the  1 8th  of  September  Alexander  Hamilton,  at  Philadelphia, 
gave  Congress  notice  of  immediate  danger,  and  its  members  fled  in 
the  night  to  Lancaster. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.       15$ 

the  2ist,  when  our  road  was  barred  by  Wayne — I  learned 

his  name  from  a  deserter — but  he  had  the  prudence  to 

retire  ;  and  five  days  later, 

being  granted  an  open  way, 

good,  loyal  souls  now  find  us 

here.* 

CITIZEN — And  all  good 
citizens  who  still  love  the 
King — and  I  am  one — feel 
safer  for  your  coming. 

CORNWALLIS  —  Here  we 
settle  down  to  test  your  hos- 
pitality, till  another  winter 
howls  its  frosts  away.  Great 
has  been  the  task  of  get- 
ting to  this  end,  and  great 
will  be  the  joy  of  the  rest  it 
brings.  We  receive  it  with 
more  zest  for  the  labor  it 
has  cost,  as  that  fruit  tastes 
sweetest  whi&h  hung  upon 
the  farthest  limb.  And  now 
to  quarters !  [  To  the  soldiers^ 
Forward  !  March  ! 

[  The  drums  again  beat,  and  soldiers  march  on,  while 
the  curtain  falls. 

2  On  the  26th  of  September,  Cornwallis  with  the  grenadiers  entered 
Philadelphia  ;  but  it  was  too  late  to  aid  Burgoyne. — Bancroft. 


END   OF    ACT    IV. 


ACT  V. 

SCENE  I.  A  clearing  upon  Bemis  Heights.     Time :  morn- 
ing, September  15,  1777. 

GEN.  BENEDICT  ARNOLD,  with  a  glass,  surveying  the  dis- 
tance. 

ARNOLD — Yonder  smoke  proclaims  the  enemy.  But 
in  what  force  ?  That  is  the  question.  Were  I  com- 
mander here,  I  would  quickly  know  and,  knowing,  act. 
With  stupidity  at  the  head,  stolid  ignorance  settles  upon 
our  army.  Here  on  Bemis  Heights  good  Kosciusko 
lays  our  camp,  and  in  the  impregnability  of  battlements 
by  this  Pole  erected  lie  our  hopes.  I  came  to  serve  with 
Schuyler,  and  find  Gates  instead,  wearing  Schuyler's 
plumes.  Congress  orders  thus,  and  in  its  united  wisdom 
Congress  can  do  no  wrong.  So  runs  the  new  catechism 
which  our  arms  defend.  Congress  maybe  right,  and  yet 
I  hold  to  doubts,  when  it  demands  that  the  wreath  which 
we  are  here  to  win  shall  settle  upon  this  man's  head.1 

1  Burgoyne  crossed  the  Hudson  at  Schuylerville  on  September  13, 
1777,  and  encamped  about  six  miles  from  the  American  camp. 
Neither  army  at  this  time  [September  15]  knew  of  the  condition  or 
strength  of  the  other.  Gates  encamped  on  Bemis  Heights  September 
12  with  a  force  of  nine  thousand  men.  Intrenchments  were  then  and 
there  made  by  Kosciusko,  the  Pole  who  had  consented  to  serve  the 
American  cause.  When  Arnold  was  sent  North  by  Washington, 
Schuyler  was  in  command.  It  was  under  Schuyler,  as  commander  of 
the  Northern  Army,  that  Arnold  went  to  Fort  Stanwix.  Schuyler 
now  [since  August  4  by  appointment,  and  August  19  by  actual 
assumption  of  office]  again  superseded  by  Gates,  Arnold  suddenly 
found  himself  in  service  under  Gates,  whom  he  did  not  like.  The 
New  England  people,  however,  hated  Schuyler,  or  rather  withdrew 
from  him  their  confidence,  partly  because  of  the  retreats  daily  made 
before  the  advance  of  Burgoyne  from  Canada.  Col.  Brown,  with 
New  England  troops,  under  direction  of  Gen.  Lincoln,  had  now 
attacked  Burgoyne  in  the  rear.  Ticonderoga  was  assailed  by  Col. 
Brown,  and  many  prisoners  taken,  with  stores.  This  was  all  by 
arrangement  and  plan  of  Washington,  as  Notes  will  show,  further  on. 

156 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         157 


Enter  a  file  of  soldiers,  dragging  MOTHER  YOST,  an 
Indian  ivitch,  bound,  her  head  covered,  and  holding  a 
crooked  staff. 

ARNOLD — Men,  if  such  you  are,  release  this  creature  ! 
Cut  these  cords,  and  give  back  her  freedom  !     [Cords  are 
cut]     What    brutes    are 
you,  that,  a  dozen  strong, 
you  thus  bind   a  helpless 
woman,  whose  close  com- 
panions, as  her  frame  and 
rags    exhibit,    are   gaunt 
hunger  and  pinching  pov- 
erty ? 

SOLDIER  —  She  is  a 
witch,  an  Indian  witch. 

ARNOLD  —  An  Indian 
witch  ?  What  mean  you 
by  this  ? 

SOLDIER — She  prowls 
around  the  camp,  and 
tells  fortunes.  She  has 
been  seen  before.  And 
we  believe  her  dangerous. 

Some  say  she  is  a  spy.     We  seized  her  to  bring  before  you 
for  judgment,  and  she  resisted.     And  so  we  bound  her. 

MOTHER  YOST  [suddenly  removing  the  covering  of  her 
head] — You  know  me,  General  ? 

ARNOLD — Unsightly  hag !  Yes,  you  are  Mother 
Yost.2 

MOTHER  YOST — We  meet  again.  To  you,  all  good 
come  !  To  these  cowardly  pale-faces  [to  the  soldiers], 
cramps  and  pinching  pains  run  through  their  bones  for 
touching  the  red  daughter  of  the  Great  Spirit  !  With  an 
Indian's  curse  I  blight  you  !  and  the  red  man  make  your 
faces  like  the  snow  in  terror  of  what  he  may  do  ! 

s  See  Note  3,  Act.  IV.  Scene  6.  Mother  Yost,  the  mother  of 
Hon-Yost,  who  acted  for  Arnold  to  frighten  St.  Leger  from  Fort 
Stanwix,  for  which  service  Arnold  pardoned  Hon-Yost  from  death  as 
a  spy.  —  Stone's  Burgnyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


IS8         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

ARNOLD — That  is  enough,  Mother  Yost.  Keep  your 
curses  for  a  better  time.  \To  the  soldiers.]  Retire,  all 
of  you,  and  leave  this  prisoner  with  me.  \Exit  soldiers.] 
Mother  Yost,  I  have  hitherto  done  you  some  service  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — And  I  have  been  of  service  to  you, 
Gen.  Arnold.3  The  pale-face  at  times  wants  the  aid  of 
the  red  child  of  the  forest. 

ARNOLD — I  freely  admit  obligations.  Your  son,  Hon- 
Yost,  faithfully  carried  my  false  rumor  to  St.  Leger,  and 
scattered  his  forces  as  the  angry  winds  scatter  the 
leaves. 

MOTHER  YOST — Manitou  heard  him  promise.  An 
Indian  is  never  false  to  him  who  holds  the  sun  and  the 
moon  as  his. 

ARNOLD — But  I  gave  to  your  son  his  life.  The 
brother  would  have  hung  as  his  hostage,  if  Hon  had  not 
journeyed  to  Fort  Stanwix,  as  he  agreed  to  do. 

MOTHER  YOST — Yes,  hung  as  a  spy,  as  Lovelace  was. 
And  the  earth  cover  him  where  the  tree  grows  !  *  His 
spirit  now  roams  abroad,  and  talks  with  Mother  Yost. 
Yes,  yes !  Talks  with  me.  Great  deeds  are  brewing. 
A  panther  cried  last  night  with  the  voice  of  a  dog ; 

Mother  Yost  understood. 

• 

ARNOLD — What  brings  you  here  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — I  came  from  the  valley  where  the 
Mohawk  flows  and  sings,  to  see  you.  A  feather  from  a 
flying  crow  fell  at  my  feet.  It  was  a  message  from  the 
Great  Spirit  that  Gen.  Arnold  wanted  me.  I  caYne  over 
hills  and  through  forests  that  never  saw  the  moon,  and 
my  feet  tired  not.  I  am  here. 

ARNOLD — Weird  and  mysterious  creature!  my  flesh 
creeps  in  your  presence.  You  have  come  in  good 
season,  for  I  do  want  you. 

1  Referring  to  what  her  son,  Hon- Yost,  had  clone. 

4  About  the  time  of  Burgoyne's  campaign,  Thomas  Lovelace,  a 
malignant  Tory,  was  condemned  as  a  spy.  Gen.  Stark  presided  at 
his  court-martial.  lie  was  hung  upon  an  oak  tree,  and  was  buried  in 
a  standing  posture  near  the  tree. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION,          159 

MOTHER  YOST — I  knew  it !  I  knew  it  !  The  great 
pines  whispered  and  pointed  the  way  as  I  came.  What 
deed  would  you  have  me  do  ? 

ARNOLD — As  I  know,  you  have  wit  and  judgment. 
Find  out  for  me  where  Burgoyne's  army  lies ;  his 
strength,  and  what  he  is  about  to  do.  Bring  report  to 
me.  Quickly  do  it,  and  have  quick  reward. 

MOTHER  YOST — And  what  reward  will  come  to 
Mother  Yost  ? 

ARNOLD — Foul,  audacious  scum  of  an  accursed  race  ! 
You  shall  live  a  little  longer  to  starve  and  freeze  !  Is 
not  this  enough  ?  See,  I  will  do  more.  I  can  trust  you, 
for  I  have  done  so.  Here  is  money.  [He  drops,  one  by 
one,  several  coins  into  her  hands.] 

MOTHER  YOST — I  do  as  you  will  have  it.  Mother 
Yost  serves  him  who  serves  her.  This  will  bring  com- 
fort to  Mother  Yost.  May  she  bring  such  to  you  ! 

ARNOLD — Now  be  off  and  at  your  work.  When  will 
we  meet  next  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — On  Thursday,  three  days  away  ;  on 
Thursday  you  shall  know  all.  But  not  here.  Not  here, 
where  these  prying  pale-faces  may  look  into  the  red 
daughter's  heart  and  tie  her  hands  again  !  Not  here, 
not  here  ! 

ARNOLD — Then  name  your  hour  and  place. 

MOTHER  YOST — In  the  Devil's  Glen,  at  nine,  on 
Thursday  night.  Upon  the  river,  about  a  mile  away. 
You  know  the  spot. 

ARNOLD — I  know  it  well.  Meet  me  there  ;  and  fail 
not,  if  you  hope  for  mercy !  Go ! 

[Exit  MOTHER  YOST. 

This  crooked,  uncanny  specter,  seemingly  not  of  this 
world,  yet  in  it ;  a  dozen  scouts  were  not  her  value  in 
gathering  what  we  need  to  know.  [Exit. 


160         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

SCENE  II.  A  room  in  the  Taylor  House,  within  British 
lines  and  near  to  the  British  camp,  before  the  battle  of 
Saratoga, 

Enter  MADAM  RIEDESEL  and  LADY  ACKLAND. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — Dear  Lady  Harriet,  we  have 
much  need  to  prop  our  fortitude  for  our  husbands' 
sakes  ;  and  for  the  army,  too,  since  we  are  its  special 
wards.  Of  all  the  women  on  the  weary  march  we  have 
been  most  favored. 

LADY  ACKLAND — My  heart  resolves  like  a  lion,  yet 
throbs  like  a  deer !  To  be  out  of  this,  worlds  for 


recompense  to   return    again 
would  weigh  as  nothing  ! 


MADAM  RIEDESEL — How 
mistaken  all  have  been  !  I 
came  from  Germany,  and,  as 
I  supposed,  since  so  the 
heralds  told  us,  upon  a  jour- 
ney where  the  dance  and 
pleasure  were  to  be  sole 
sources  of  fatigue. 

LADY  ACKLAND — And  so 
I,  from  England.  We  dance 
and  have  danced  again  since 

we  left  Quebec  ;  but  how  irregular  the  measure  !  I  de- 
clare secretly  to  you,  madam,  I  am  frightened  nearly 
unto  death. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — These  men  will  not  avow  it  to  us, 
for  we  are  women,  but  I  can  see  we  contend  against  a 
bitter  and  courageous  enemy. 

LADY  ACKLAND — And,  as  my  husband  has  confessed 
to  me,  who  are  fighting  for  rights  as  sacred  and  just  as 
is  the  right  to  live.  This  accursed  thirst  for  power, 
where  might  maintains  it  at  the  price  of  justice,  I  already 
hate  it ! 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — Hush,  woman.  You  are,  at  heart, 
a  traitor  to  your  King !  The  rebels  use  no  stronger 
argument  ! 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE   REVOLUTION.        161 

LADY  ACKLAND — Then  it  may  find  a  place  upon  our 
private  records,  for  no  other  eye  than  yours,  that  half 
the  army  of  the  King,  in  the  lowest  depths  of  con- 
science, feel  as  I  do,  and  bring  into  battle,  when  it  is  on, 
a  divided  heart  !  Such  an  army  never  conquers  ! 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — Beyond  this,  Frederick  says  that 
we  are  badly  led  ;  hesitate  when  we  should  go  forward, 
and  push  on  when  prudence  leads  to  the  camp  !  St. 
Leger  has  failed,  and  the  defeat  and  death  of  Banm  at 
Bennington  !  Oh,  I  can't  reflect  upon  these  dismal  ends 
of  such  high-sounding  promises,  and  look  with  hope  into 
the  days  in  front  of  us  ! 

Enter  GEN.  BURGOYNE,  GEN.  FREDERICK  RIEDESEL,  and 
COL.  BREYMAN. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL  and  LADY  ACKLAND  {bowing} — 
Good-morning,  gentlemen. 

BURGOYNE — And  many  returns  to  each  of  you  of  a 
day  so  bright  as  this. 

MADAM  RIESEDEL — I  hope,  General,  you  are  as  stout 
of  heart  as  ever  ;  and  regard  our  foe  as  so  much  game, 
which  good  huntsmen  bring  home  at  last ! 

BURGOYNE — That  we  will  gain  the  approaching  battle 
I  have  the  faith  with  which  I  left  Quebec.  But  the 
work  is  not  so  easy  that  we  set  it  down  in  the  sports- 
man's catalogue.  We  oppose  a  people  terribly  aroused 
and  of  Spartan  valor  ! 

LADY  ACKLAND — In  short,  you  would  say  they  are  of 
English  origin  ;  and  hence  English  grit  is  against  Eng- 
lish grit  contending ! 

BREYMAN — Well  said,  Lady  Ackland  !  All  around  us 
we  have  felt  this  truth  ;  a  deeper  impression,  thus  receiv- 
ing it,  than  when  imbibed  from  your  occult  reasoning. 
Baum  is  dead  ;  St.  Leger  is  driven  back  ;  and  we  are  in 
want  of  food  for  our  soldiers.  I  have  seen  more  hopeful 
days  than  these  in  war.1 

'"Supplies  [after  battle  of  Bennington]  are  very  scarce,"  wrote  a 
Brunswick  officer.  "  This  army  is  fed  with  bread  made  of  flour  sent 
from  England,  and  with  meat  salted  there.  And  the  difficulty  in 
getting  food  brought  to  the  front  is  incalculable." — Von  Eelking. 


1 62         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

Enter  an  orderly,  who  speaks  to  MADAM  RIEDESEL. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — Let  her  come  in.  [Orderly  retires.] 
A  poor  Indian  squaw,  who  has  been  here  before,  and 
claims  the  right  to  visit,  since  her  people  serve  our 
cause. 

Enter  MOTHER  YOST. 

MOTHER  YOST — The  red  child  of  the  Great  King 
fears  to  come  where  so  many  pale-faces  meet  together. 
It  was  to  the  pale  squaw  I  came,  so  I  will  go  back  again. 

BURGOYNE — No  ;    stay  where  you  are.      This  good 


lady  [bowing  to  MADAM  RIEDESEL]  vouches  for  you, 
and  you  need  no  better  friend.  What  is  your  name, 
and  where  have  you  lived  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — I  came  from  the  Mohawk,  and  they 
call  me  Mother  Yost.  My  people  follow  Brant,  the  Big 
Chief,  and  this  name  the  white  children  give  him.  He 
rises  at  the  call  of  the  Great  King  across  the  blue 
waters."  My  son  was  condemned  by  the  wicked  pale- 
faces, who  give  trouble  to  the  Great  King,  to  be  hung  as 
a  spy.  He  was  not  hung.3  When  the  moon  was  dark, 

1  Brant  was  then  in  the  service  of  Burgoyne. 
•See  Note  2,  Scene  I. 


WASHINGTON,  OR  THE  REVOLUTION.         163 

and  the  faces  of  all  the  children  of  Manitou  of  one  color, 
he  escaped. 

BURGOYNE — You  have  suffered  in  our  cause.  What 
know  you  now  of  these  wicked  pale-faces?  How  many 
are  in  front  of  us.  and  where  are  they  ?* 

MOTHER  YOST — I  was  sent  by  him  who  blows  a  breath 
and  the  mountain  shakes,  to  tell  this  where  you  would 
hear  it.  Before  you  are  not  many.  So  many  as  the 
leaves  left  upon  a  tree  when  the  frosts  have  come  ;  and 
they  may  be  counted.  Fear  makes  their  knees  shake, 
as  when  the  panther  approaches  in  the  open  field.  The 
bird  flies  when  the  hunter  shows  himself.  If  you  hasten, 
you  may  trap  the  bird  before  he  spreads  his  wings. 

GEN.  RIEDESEL — Heavens,  Gen.  Burgoyne  !  this  is 
important  information,  and  with  my  life  I  will  indorse 
its  truthfulness  !  Up  to  this  moment  we  have  been  in 
utter  ignorance  of  the  enemy.  In  these  primeval  forests 
our  scouts  have  not  located  a  battalion. 

BREYMAN — You  say  in  front  of  us.     How  far  away  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — As  far  as  the  crow  would  fly  while  the 
white  man  sits  at  meat. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — This  is  the  mode  of  speech  of 
these  simple  souls.  I  have  given  time  to  understand  it. 
It  means,  in  one  hour,  while  the  white  man  dines,  the 
crow  can  fly  the  space. 

LADY  ACKLAND — And  the  crow  will  fly  ten  miles. 

BURGOYNE — Then  we  have  placed  the  foe  ;  at  least  ten 
miles  away  ;  few  and  full  of  fear  !  Madam  Riedesel,  we 
came  to  make  a  social  call ;  but  to  a  council  of  war,  with 
you  assisting,  it  suddenly  is  changed.  We  shall  move 
to-morrow  on  to  Albany. 

GEN.  RIEDESEL — With  pur  force  six  thousand  strong, 
we  must  make  a  successful  march. 

BURGOYNE — Col.  Breyman,  will  you  please  to  attend 
me  in  conference  with  Gen.  Phillips,  and  with  Fraser, 

4  On  the  1 5th  of  September  Burgoyne  gave  the  order  to  advance  in 
search  of  the  enemy.  That  general  had  no  knowledge  of  the  position 
of  the  Americans. — Stone's  Burgoyne' s  Campaign,  etc. 


164         WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION. 

too?     For  the  present,  Riedesel,  we  leave  you  here,  and 
say  to  all  adieu.  \Exit  BURGOYNE  and  BREYMAN. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — Frederick  !  Frederick!  this  means 
approaching  battle,  and  now  my  fears  come  on  again. 

GEN.  RIEDESEL — Be  a  soldier's  wife,  for  such  you  have 
ever  been. 

MOTHER  YOST — The  wives  of  the  wicked  pale-faces 
have  no  fear.  While  I  came  on  I  saw  one  lighting  with 

fire  her  fields  of  maize. 
See  !  See  there  from  this 
window  where  the  smoke 
now  rises  ! " 

LADY  ACKLAND — It  is 
too  true.  Desperate  sac- 
rifice of  devoted  souls  ! 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — 
Frederick  !  with  a  wom- 
an's instinct,  I  tell  you 
here  and  now,  people  who 
can  do  these  deeds  cannot  be  conquered.  Oh  !  that  we 
were  safely  out  of  it ! 

MOTHER  YOST — I  have  more  to  walk  before  the  day 
lies  down  to  sleep.  I  go,  I  go.  [Exit  MOTHER  YOST. 

GEN.  RIEDESEL — This  simple  savage  has  given  aid 
to-day  far  beyond  what  she  can  understand. 

MADAM  RIEDESEL — These  savages  are  our  burden, 
however  much  they  serve.  We  are  responsible  for  their 
bloody  deeds.  The  face  of  Jane  McCrea  is  before  me 
always8 — before  me  now,  whichever  way  I  turn — as  one 
confederate  with  those  guilty  of  her  murder.  Do  I  not 
consort  with  men  who  placed  this  hapless  child  where 
the  tomahawk,  which  let  her  gentle  spirit  forth,  is  our 
approved  instrument?  Frederick,  there  is  blood  upon 
my  hands  !  and,  as  if  in  hate  besprinkled,  it  will  not  out, 

6  It  has  been  stated  that  Mrs.  Schuyler,  wife  of  Gen.  Schuyler, 
with  her  own  hands  fired  her  fields  of  wheat. 

8  Jane  McCrea  had  been  murdered  a  few  days  before,  by  Indians, 
to  whom  she  was  intrusted  for  escort  to  British  lines. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        165 

wash  them  as  I  may  !  Now  more  slaughter  !  heaping 
wrong  on  wrong,  and  all  the  more  so  if  our  side  prevails. 
A  cruel,  unjust  war  !  I  see  it  now.  [  Weeps.] 

GEN.   RIEDESEL — You  must  not  harbor  thoughts  so 
dismal.     I  will  lead  you  to  your  room.  [All  retire. 


SCENE  III.  The  Devil's  Glen.  A  dark  ravine  of  rocks 
upon  the  Hudson.  Terrific  gale,  with  thunder  and 
flashes  of  lightning.  Time:  night,  September  18,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  ARNOLD,  slowly  descending  into  the  glen. 

ARNOLD — This  is  the  Devil's  Glen  !  and  it  well 
deserves  the  name.  Heavens  !  Such  peals  of  thunder  ! 
Where  is  the  devil  I  was  to  meet  ?  The  time  is  up. 
\A  vivid  flash,  and  MOTHER  YOST  is  seen  upon  the  brink 
of  the  glen  above,  with  outstretched  arms,  facing  the  galeJ\ 
What  is  that  ?  Ye  gods  !  that  is  a  sight  to  appall  a 
man  of  stouter  nerves  than  mine  !  [Another  flash,  and 
the  same  sight.~\  It  is  the  savage  witch  ;  facing  this 
tumult  as  if  she  ruled  the  storm  ! J 

[Amid  continuous  thunder  and  lightning,  MOTHER 

YOST  descends  into  the  glen,  as  ARNOLD  had 

done. 

MOTHER  YOST — I  said  I  would  come.     I  am  here  ! 
ARNOLD — Then  out  with  your  report  !     Can  I  live  to 
hear  it  in  this  place,  appalling  to  the  imps  of  hell  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — I  saw  the  big  chief  of  the  great 
King. 

ARNOLD — You  saw  Burgoyne  ? 

1  Just  north  of  Saratoga  lived  Angelina  Tubs,  a  veritable  witch. 
Many  are  the  wild  and  startling  tales  told  of  Angelina.  Had  she 
been  mistress  of  the  whirlwind,  she  could  not  have  more  delighted 
in  storms.  She  has  been  seen,  her  form  erect  and  arms  extended, 
standing  upon  the  verge  of  fearful  precipices,  in  the  midst  of  awful 
tempests,  conversing,  as  it  were,  with  unseen  spirits  ;  her  hair 
streaming  in  the  wind,  while  the  thunder  was  riving  the  rocks,  and 
the  red  lightning  encircling  her  as  in  a  winding  sheet  of  flame. — 
Stone's  Reminiscences  of  Saratoga. 


1 66          WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


MOTHER  YOST- 
heard  them  talk. 


-Yes  ;   saw  him  and  other  chiefs,  and 


ARNOLD— What  said  they  ?  The  truth,  the  truth  only, 
or  this  place  shall  seem  like  a  summer  dell  with  what  I 
bring  you  to.  [Heaiy  crash  of  thunder. 

MOTHER  YOST — The  soldiers  of  the  great  King  are 
so  many  as  six  thousand,  and  no  more.  They  have 

begun  the  march  on  the 
road  to  Albany.  If  they 
meet  you — Hark  !  Do  you 
hear? 

ARNOLD — I  hear  nothing 
but  the  thunder. 

MOTHER  YOST  —  As  I 
came  this  way,  a  panther 
crossed  me.  Next,  a  pack 
of  wolves  howled  at  the 
heels  of  Mother  Yost.  They 
were  close  as  I  came  down. 
Listen!  there  !  \Vivid light- 
ning] Did  you  not  see 
them  ? 

ARNOLD — Where  ? 

MOTHER  YOST  —  There 
upon  the  edge,  where  I  came  from. 

ARNOLD — What  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — The  lean  wolves,  with  white  teeth  ; 
and  tongues  as  red  as  berries. 

ARNOLD — No  ;  I  saw  them  not.  Fearless  consort  of 
fiends  that  sport  with  terrors  damnable,  say  what  you 
have  to  say,  and  let  me  go  !  {Lightning  and  thunder,  and 
ARNOLD  crouches]  Great  Ajax  would  tremble  at  these 
spiteful  flashes. 

MOTHER  YOST — Ha,  ha  !  \Utters  a  fiendish  laugh] 
The  panther  and  the  wolves3  are  now  tearing  each  other. 


1  The  nights  [after  the  battle  of  September  19]  also  were  rendered 
hideous  by  the  howls  of  large  packs  of  wolves  that  were  attracted 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         167 

I  hear  them.  The  red  children  of  the  forest  have  good 
ears.  If  the  soldiers  of  the  great  King  meet  you  to- 
morrow— I  say  to-morrow — the  panthers  and  the  wolves 
will  then,  too,  tear  each  other. 

ARNOLD — I  understand  you.  What  did  you  tell 
Burgoyne  of  us  ?  He  questioned  you  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — I  told  him  the  wicked  pale-faces  were 
few,  like  the  leaves  when  the  frost  comes  ;  and  these  ten 
miles  away,  and  full  of  fear. 

ARNOLD — Cunning  you  are ;  and  lied  so  wickedly, 
because  I  paid  you. 

MOTHER  YOST — If  it  does  you  good,  it  was  no  lie. 
It  was  a  thing  used  as  needed  to  help  you  on.  A  gun 
went  off  when  you  did  not  intend  to  shoot  ;  and  yet  it 
killed  the  deer.  The  trees  echoed  a  lie,  since  it  was  not 
the  truth  that  the  owner  willed  it  so  ;  but  the  meat  to 
the  hungry  was  as  sweet. 

ARNOLD — Intelligent  and  faithful,  you  shall  not  fail  of 
friendship.  You  plan  that  Burgoyne  shall  be  ambushed 
and  surprised.  Your  lie  was  for  his  undoing  ;  hence,  a 
mere  instrument  of  war.  True,  though  savage  logic. 
I  will  leave,  you  here,  to  follow  when  I  am  gone. 

MOTHER  YOST — One  thing  more. 
ARNOLD — And  what  is  that,  gaunt  witch  ? 

MOTHER  YOST — I  have  here  the  eye  of  owl  that 
hooted  while  it  was  day ;  the  wing  of  crow  that  like  a 
robin  sung  ;  the  claw  of  a  young  bear  that  never  tasted 
prey.  The  Great  Spirit  is  with  Mother  Yost  when  she 
carries  these.  I  would  tell  your  fortune.  [Thunder. 

ARNOLD — Quick,  then,  before  these  loud  thunders 
deafen  me.  What  want  you  ? 


by  the  partially  buried  bodies  of   those  slain  in  the  action  of  the 
igth. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 

Mr.  Stafford  [who  became  a  resident  of  Saratoga  in  1783]  found 
the  wolves  were  not  the  only  animals  that  were  troublesome.  When 
he  "  camped  out,"  he  invariably  kept  a  fire  burning  to  guard  against 
panthers. — Stone's  Reminiscences  of  Saratoga. 


168         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 


MOTHER  YOST — To  see  your  hand. 
ARNOLD — How  can  you  see  it  in  such  a  night  as  this  ? 
MOTHER  YOST — Stretch  it  forth,  and  the  Great  Eye 
will  hold  his  light  to  it. 

ARNOLD  [extending  his  hand~\ — Here  it  is,  then. 

I A  vivid  flash  of  lightning. 
MOTHER  YOST — I  see,  I 
see  !  I  have  seen  all.  Fear 
nothing.  When  the  Great 
Spirit  calls,  Arnold  from  his 
couch  will  go  to  meet  him. 
Be  of  great  courage,  then, 
when  death  darts  every- 
where, for  no  harm  comes  to 
him. 

ARNOLD — I  have  no  fear 
of  hurt.  Since  you  would 
tell  my  fortune,  be  thorough 
with  it.  What  of  the  future  ? 
That  future  which  hides 
rewards  and  honors  from 
ambitious  men. 

MOTHER  YOST- — The  sun 
shall  shine  to-morrow  upon 
Arnold's  head,  and  show  great  honors  there.  Before  the 
new  moon  grows  old  and  is  new  again,  Arnold  shall  be 
linked  with  fame. 

ARNOLD — A  pleasing  and  fair-spoken  witch,  and  a 
good  prediction  ;  much  too  good  for  birth  in  a  spot  so 
damnable.  But  what  of  the  future  beyond  the  changing 
moon  ? 

MOTHER  YOST  [shrinking  bacli\ — Ask  no  more.  Be 
content  with  what  you  have.  [Moves  away  in  terror.] 

ARNOLD — Why,  now,  your  fear  excites  my  wonder  of 
what  you  have  to  say.  Tell  me,  before  I  force  you  so 
to  do. 

MOTHER  YOST — Arnold,  beware  of  envy  and  the  hate 
that  follows  at  its  heels.  In  its  grasp  the  strong  man 
shakes  more  than  these  hills  when  the  thunder  smites. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        169 

See  the  lightning  of  the  Great  Spirit,  and  listen  to  his 
voice.  Beware,  Arnold,  beware,  when  Manitou  makes 
such  a  storm  within  !  The  sun  that  shines  to-day,  to- 
morrow will  hide  itself  in  clouds.  No  more,  no  more ! 
I  go,  I  go  ! 

[MOTHER  YOST,  in  the  glare  of  the  lightning,  files 

up  the  glen. 

ARNOLD — Stop,  unmannered  hag  !  I  was  to  go  be- 
fore. She  is  gone  !.  Has  a  blessing  or  a  curse  been  left 
behind  ?  \Crouches  at  a  dap  of  thunder.}  That  storm 
within !  I  feel  it  now,  comporting  with  this  external. 
I  will  not  be  made  the  stone  by  which  others  climb. 
Prophetic  witch,  your  oracle  is  easy.  In  proud  revolt 
shall  Arnold  some  day  rise  ;  though  the  sun  shines  or 
black  clouds  bar  the  skies  !  \Exit  up  the  side  of  the  glen. 


SCENE  IV.  Headquarters  0/GEN.  GATES  on  Bemis  Heights. 
Time :  September  19,  1777. 

Enter  GEN.  GATES,  GEN.  ARNOLD,  and  COL.  STANDISH. 

GATES — Having  advanced  our  camp  thus  far  toward 
the  approaching  foe,  here  we  fling  our  banners  to  the 
breeze  and  throw  the  gauge  of 
battle.  Bryan,  the  trusty  scout, 
brings  word  that,  on  the  i5th, 
Burgoyne  crossed  the  Hudson, 
and,  in  three  columns  advanc- 
ing from  the  North,  will  strike 
us  to-day,  unless  we  first 
strike  him.  Strover,  whose 
faithful  eye  has  seen  every 
movement,  confirms  what  Bryan 
gives.  This  is  the  i9th  of 
September  :  before  the  sun 
from  his  mid-heaven  throne  surveys  the  teeming  world, 
blows  may  answer  blows.1 

1  Bryan  was  selected  by  Gates  to  act  as  a  scout  and  to  penetrate 
within  the  enemy's  lines.  Alexander  Biyan  entered  the  British  camp 
at  Fort  Edward  in  August.  Obtaining  his  information  that  there 


17°         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

ARNOLD — I  can  seal  with  confidence  the  story  of  your 
scouts,  vouching  its  truth.  How  informed,  is  not  im- 
portant. Fiery  action  is  the  present  cue. 

GATES — Gen.  Arnold,  you  will  command  the  left  wing 
of  our  force  and  lead  it  into  battle,  if  it  opens.' 

ARNOLD — The  enemy  is  deceived  or  ignorant  as  to 
our  strength  or  place.  So  I  believe.  We  should  begin 
the  assault,  before  he  awakens  from  his  ignorance  or 
feels  the  supporting  arm  of  Clinton.  Putnam,  as  the 
eye  of  Washington,  still  guards  the  Hudson,  shutting  its 
watery  gates  against  re-enforcements  there.  Now  is  the 
hou  r  of  advantage.  [A  gun  is  heard  in  the  distance. 

GATES — Ah  !  That  gun  !  That  gun  is  the  Briton's 
signal,  and,  Arnold,  your  advice  prevails.  Col.  Stand- 
ish,  will  you  order  Morgan  to  answer  it  with  his  rifles  ? 
So  we  begin  the  ball.1  [Exit  COL.  STANDISH. 

ARNOLD — I  will  also  seek  the  field.  This  is  a  day  for 
heads  to  fall,  and  if  ours,  then  a  glorious  exit  gained.4 

[Exit  ARNOLD. 

GATES  [goes  to  a  table,  unrolls  and  consults  a  map.  The 
firing  of  guns  heard  in  the  distance] — This  is  the  chart  of 
my  growing  fortunes.  Here  is  the  game  of  chess,  with 
each  piece  fixed  upon  its  proper  square  ;  and,  if  moved 
with  skill,  no  check  can  come  to  us.  [The firing  draws 

was  to  be  an  immediate  advance,  he  started  from  the  British  camp  for 
home  on  the  morning  of  September  15  [the  day  Arnold  was  on  the 
lookout  at  Bemis  Heights,  Scene  I.].  He  arrived  at  the  headquarters 
of  Gates  on  the  night  of  September  16.  His  information  led  to  tlie 
preparation  to  meet  Burgoyne  on  September  19.  John  Strover  also 
acted  as  scout  to  assist  Bryan. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 

8  By  four  o'clock  [on  September  19]  the  action  had  become  general, 
and  Arnold,  with  nine  Continental  regiments  and  Morgan's  corps, 
completely  engaged  the  whole  force  of  Burgoyne  and  Fraser. — Stone's 
Burgoyne' s  Campaign,  etc. 

Between  three  and  four  in  the  afternoon  [September  19]  Gen. 
Arnold,  with  nine  regiments  and  Morgan's  riflemen,  was  closely 
engaged  with  the  whole  right  wing  of  the  British  army. — frost. 

1  In  concurrence  with  the  advice  of  Arnold,  Gates  ordered  out 
Morgan's  riflemen,  who  began  the  attack.  The  place  contended  for 
was  Freeman's  farm. — Bancroft. 

4  See  Note  2. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        17* 

nearer.]  By  the  valor  of  those  who  serve  do  I  rise  or 
fall.  [Still  nearer  are  heard  the  guns]  The  loud-mouthed 
voice  of  battle  comes  this  way  !  [Listens  in  alarm]  Is 
this  repulse  or  stratagem  ?  [Again  consults  the  map]  We 
have  the  vantage  of  position,  and,  besides,  Morgan  and 
his  riflemen  are  ever  a  wall  of  consuming  fire.  [Listens, 
still  in  alarm,  to  the  roar  of  guns]  The  fear  that  now  knocks 
so  suddenly  at  my  heart  may  not,  shall  not,  come  in, 
since  I  am  so  hedged  around  with  men  of  lion  courage. 
[Examines  the  map  again]  Our  forces,  set  with  tact,  are 
well  in  hand  ;  so  advantage  must  wait  on  action.  This 
impatience  for  report  shrivels  the  most  hopeful  argu- 
ment. Here  comes  a  courier. 

Enter  hurriedly  CAPT.,  now  COL.,  GEORGE  ALDEN. 
COL.  ALDEN — Morgan,   upon  your  order,  sprung  to 
action  as  springs  the  lioness  when   its  prey  comes  within 
its  eye.     He  found  Breyman  at  Free- 
man's farm  ;  and  after   such  welcome 
to  him  as  a  soldier  gives  when  human 
lives  are  the  pawns  to  win,  he  has  fal- 
len back,  and  bids  me  report  all   this 
to  you.     In  three  lines,  the  British  are 
advancing. 

GATES— Order  Scammell  and  Cilley, 
with  New  Hampshire's  battalions, 
quickly  to  Morgan's  aid.* 

[Exit  COL.  ALDEN.] 

How  soon    the   pot  begins  to  boil 
when  martial  fires  force  it !     From  yonder  point  I  will 
observe  the  game.  [Exit. 

6  Morgan  fell  back  before  the  division  of  Burgoyne.  To  support 
him,  Gates  ordered  out  New  Hampshire  battalions  under  Col.  Scam- 
mel  and  Col.  Cilley.  —Bancroft. 


I?2          WASHINGTON,  OR    THE   REVOLUTION. 

SCENE  V.  The  field  within  the  lines  of  GEN.  BURGOYNE. 
Freeman's  Farm. 

Enter  GEN.  BURGOYNE  and  GEN.  ERASER,  with  soldiers. 

BURGOYNE — We  encountered  opposition  before  it  was 
expected.  The  old  witch  betrayed  or  ignorantly  misled 
us.  Sorely  pressed  as  we  have  been,  you  came  up  none 
too  soon. 

FRASER — Hearing  your  guns,  not  yielding  the  heights, 
I  moved  from  the  right  to  your  support.  I  fear  we  are 
outnumbered.1 

BURGOYNE — Phillips  is  on  with  his  artillery ;  but  in 
these  woods  it  is  an  encumbrance.  From  report  of 
prisoners,  Arnold  leads  the  line  opposed." 

Enter  an  AID  in  haste. 

AID — Lieut.  Hervey  is  down  and  our  cannon  are  cap- 
tured. Five  times  to-day  have  they  changed  hands. 

BURGOYNE — Then  one  change  more,  and  they  come 
bacjc  again.  General  Fraser!  to  the  rescue  with  all  your 
force,  and  may  that  suffice  to  redeem  the  day. 

FRASER — Whatever  strong  arms  can  do  shall  now  be 
done.  [Exit  GEN.  FRASER. 

AID — Gen.  Burgoyne,  through  yonder  trees  I  see  hos- 
tile uniforms  this  way  steadily  advancing,  though  our 
troops  make  effort  to  impede  their  progress. 

BURGOYNE — All  fall  back  to  station  more  secure. 

[All  retire. 

Enter  GEN.  ARNOLD,  COL.  STANDISH,  and  COL.  ALDEN, 
and  soldiers. 

ARNOLD — Who  was  that  general  officer  just  now  re- 
tired from  this  spot  ? 

ALDEN — I  have  seen  him  once  before  to-day,  while 

1  Fraser,  on  the  right,  wheeled  his  troops,  and  coming  to  Burgoyne's 
relief,  forced  Morgan  to  give  way. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign, 
etc. 

*  The  ground  being  covered  with  woods,  embarrassed  the  British 
in  the  use  of  their  artillery.  [See  Scene  IV.,  Note  2.] — Stone's  Bur- 
goyne's Campaign,  etc. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        173 

pressing  on  with  Courtlandt  and  Livingston  at  the  head 
of  New  York  soldiers.8  Cook  with  his  men  was  on  his 
flank,  and  we  thought  him  captured.  He  rode  with 
desperate  but,  we  thought,  despairing  courage  in  the 
face  of  our  leaden  storm. 

ARNOLD  \with  great  vehemence\  —  But  who  is  he,  I 
say? 

ALDEN — All  said  that  he  was  Gen.  Burgoyne. 

ARNOLD — As  I  supposed,  and  we  have  lost  him.  Were 
I  not  leading  in  the  fight  to-day,  I'd  follow  him,  though 
the  way  between  us  were 
strewn  with  teeth  of  the 
fabled  dragon.  I  tire  with 
pursuit  of  smaller  game. 

STANDISH — No  need  for 
such  rash  risk  to  a  com- 
mander who  supplies  the 
puissance  of  a  thousand 
men  in  the  terror  of  his 
name.  Burgoyne  is  at  the  muzzles  of  our  rifles  and 
cannot  escape. 

ARNOLD — This  day  has  tried  the  metal  of  both  sides. 
Face  to  face,  and  man  to  man,  muscle  and  stout  hearts 
gain  the  prize.4  My  arm  yet  thrills  for  one  more  bout 
before  the  sun  goes  down.  Again  into  the  whirl. 

[All  retire. 

Enter  GEN.  RIEDESEL  and  BREYMAN,  with  soldiers. 

RIEDESEL — These  men  overmatch  us  with  their  rifles. 
A  man  falls  at  every  fire.  We  have  not  such  soldiers. 

BREYMAN — For  this  clearing  called  Freeman's  Farm, 
both  sides  have  this  day  struggled.5  We  hold  it  now, 


*  At  four  Gates  ordered  out  the  New  York  regiment  of  Courtlandt, 
following  them  in  half  an  hour  by  that  of  Henry  Livingston. — 
— Bancroft. 

4  The  battle  was  one  of  courage,  not  of  maneuver  ;  man  fought 
against  man  ;  regiment  against  regiment. — Bancroft. 

6  The  forces  contended  for  Freeman's  farm,  which  was  now  held 
by  one,  and  now  by  the  other  of  the  two  armies. —  Von  Eelking. 


174         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

and  the  sun  is  nearly  run.     It  will  surely  set  with  victory 
for  us. 

RIEDESEL — And   our   relief  secures  it.     Coming  on, 
the  very  air  proclaimed  our  utter  rout.'     But  before  our 


v* 


bayonets  the  enemy  has  fallen  back,  and  the  day  is  too 
far  gone  for  him  to  renew  the  struggle.  Again  we  have 
saved  this  Briton,  as  we  did  at  Hubbardstown. 

BREVMAN— And  for  to-morrow  as  well ;  we  could  have 
clinched  this  victory,  if  Burgoyne  had  permitted  us  to 
pursue  while  our  bayonets  were  in  that  humor. 

RIEDESEL — It  was  a  mistake  to  call  us  away.  But  we 
only  serve,  and  hence  we  obey.7  \All  retire. 

'  Before  the  sun  went  down  Burgoyne  was  in  danger  of  a  rout ;  the 
troops  about  him  wavered,  when  Riedesel  came  to  his  aid. — Ban- 
croft. 

1  The  Germans  thus,  for  the  second  time  [before  at  Hubbards- 
town], saved  the  English,  and  followed  up  their  pursuit  of  the 
Americans,  until  Burgoyne  ordered  them  to  stop — much  to  the  dis- 
content of  the  Germans. —  Von  Eelking. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        175 

SCENE  VI.     Same  as  Act  V.  Scene  4.     Headquarters  of 
GEN.  GATES  on  Bemis  Heights, 


X.  GATES,  ARNOLD,  STANDISH,  and  soldiers. 

GATES  —  The  result  of  yesterday  was  our  victory. 

ARNOLD  —  Burgoyne  holds  the  field  ;  but  since  we  did 
not  contend  for  that  we  have  not  lost  it.  To  check  him 
in  his  march  being  our  purpose,  this  was  done.  And  so 
far  it  was  our  triumph. 

STANDISH  —  Burgoyne  is  badly  crippled.  Six  hundred 
men  passed  from  his  command  to  the  world  of  shadows. 
He  was  in  no  position  to  lose  so  many. 

ARNOLD  —  While  he  is  in  this  plight,  finish  him.  Gen. 
Gates,  yesterday  I  advised  that  the  fight  begin.  To-day 
I  advise  its  continuance  with  swiftest  action. 

GATES  —  When  would  you  renew  it  ? 

ARNOLD  —  Now  ;  this  hour.  Burgoyne  is  outside  of 
intrenchments  and  demoralized.  We  are  here  to  fight, 
and  not  to  loll  the  hours  away  in  rest  !  With  your  con- 
sent, I  will  once  more  head  our  lines  and  end  invasion 
here  !  ' 

GATES  —  I  cannot  consent  to  this.  Our  troops  are 
tired. 

ARNOLD  —  Our  troops  are  not  tired  !  Sir,  brave  men 
never  tire  while  great  deeds  remain  undone  !  You  may 
be  tired  ;  but  those  who  yesterday  faced  English  bullets 
are  not  ! 

GATES  —  Gen.  Arnold,  this  language  is  grossly  wrong. 

ARNOLD  —  It  is  not  wrong.  It  becomes  right  —  yes, 
the  right  and  proper  speech  —  when  from  the  man  who 
wins  the  battle  to  him  who  would  basely  lose  it  ! 

GATES  —  I  will  not  suffer  this  from  you  nor  any  man  ! 

ARNOLD  —  Nor  will  I  longer  suffer  you  !  The  enemy 
invites  you  to  pick  from  the  ground  his  bruised  and 
bleeding  form,  and  you  refuse  !  When  he  grows  strong 

1  An  attack  upon  the  remains  of  Burgoyne's  division,  while  it  was 
still  disconnected  and  without  intrenchment,  was  urged  by  Arnold.  — 
Bancroft. 


1 76          WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

again,  and  looks  forth  behind  high  battlements,  perhaps 
you  will  be  ready  then  to  urge  the  further  sacrifice  of 
heroic  men  !  Scheming  servitor  for  honors  filched  from 
Schuyler's  brow,  I  serve  with  you  no  longer  !" 

GATES — But  for  the  impropriety  of  the  act — my  place 
constraining — I  should  demand  a  soldier's  satisfaction 
for  this  gross  insult ! 

ARNOLD — The  day  is  not  yet  born,  nor  will  it  ever 
have  its  place  in  time,  when  Gates  calls  Arnold  to  a 
combat !  I  want  release  from  every  duty  here.  I  go  to 
Philadelphia,  there  to  consort  with  soldiers ! 

GATES — With  all  my  heart.  Attend  me  to  this  room 
adjoining,  and  there  we  settle  all.  [All  retire. 


SCENE  VII.  The  field  between  the  two  camps.    In  the  woods. 
Time :  October  6th. 

Enter  GEN.  LINCOLN,  GEN.  ARNOLD,  COL.  STANDISH, 
and  soldiers. 

LINCOLN — We  will  go  no  further.  The  opposing 
pickets  may  surprise  us.  Gen.  Arnold,  I  am  tired  of 
this  delay. 

ARNOLD — I  became  weary  when  the  sun  hid  his  face 
on  the  i pth.  The  enemy  were  at  our  mercy.  Had  not 
this  man  Gates  refused  me  re-enforcements  while  the 
hunt  was  on,  no  hostile  battalion  would  have  here  re- 
mained to  confront  us  again  to-day  ! ' 

LINCOLN — I  brought  two  thousand  sturdy  men  to 
camp  after  Burgoyne's  repulse,  arriving  on  the  22cl  of 
September— two  weeks  ago  to-day.  The  frosts  of  Octo- 
ber begin  to  chill  their  ardor.1 

*  Gates  refused  the  advice  of  Arnold  [to  renew  the  battle  at  once]. 
The  quarrel  between  them  grew  more  bitter,  and  Arnold  demanded 
and  received  a  passport  to  Philadelphia.  But  Arnold  afterward  re- 
lented, but  Gates  would  not  restore  him  to  a  command. — Bancroft. 

'On  the  igth  of  September  Arnold,  while  the  fight  was  on,  asked 
for  re-enforcements,  and  Gates  refused  them. — Irving. 

8  On  the  22d  of  September  Gen.  Lincoln  arrived  with  two  thousand 
men  and  took  command  of  the  right  wing. — Hancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        177 

STANDISH — And  it  may  be  as  long  again  before  they 
warm  themselves  behind  their  fire-locks. 

ARNOLD — Why  came  you  here  at  all  ?  You  knew  this 
commander. 

LINCOLN — It  was  at  the  call  of  Washington,  which 
was  heard  in  all  New  England.  Lethargy,  like  a  fatal 
sleep,  held  us  while 
Schuyler  stayed  ;  and 
Gates,  as  his  successor, 
aroused  us  not.  But 
Washington's  appeal 
lighted  camp-fires  upon 
every  hill.  It  was  this 
which  sent  Stark  to 
Bennington  and  primed 
thousands  of  idle  guns!3 

ARNOLD — It  was  he  who  planned  against  St.  Leger.4 

STANDISH — No  point  in  this  vast  struggle  is  beyond 
his  care.  And  if  he  ever  fails,  it  is  because  poor  work- 
men botch  him. 

LINCOLN — Under  my  orders,  Col.  Brown  assailed 
Ticonderoga  before  Morgan's  rifles  had  ceased  to  echo 
through  these  pines,  in  September's  battle.  Much  gained 
in  prisoners  and  stores,  elated  us  to  Burgoyne's  depres- 
sion. We  now  hold  the  road  behind  him  at  all  impor- 
tant points,  as  well  as  bar  his  progress.  Thus  viciously, 
we  hold  him  in  a  vice  ! 

ARNOLD— The  thing  to  do  is  to  fight,  fight,  fight ! 

3  In  August,  to  hasten  the  rising  in  New  England,  Washington 
wrote  directly  to  the  Brigadiers  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut 
urging  them  to  march  to  Saratoga.     Touched  by  the  ringing  appeals 
of  Washington,  thousands  of  men  from  New  England  States  were  in 
motion  toward  Saratoga. — Bancroft. 

4  Washington  ordered  Arnold  to  the  North  to  aid  Schuyler,  and  he 
bade  him  [Schuyler],  "  Never  despair!"     That  Burgoyne  would  be 
weakened  by  his  garrison  duties  ;  that  a  party  in  Vermont  should 
constantly  keep  the   enemy  in  anxiety  for  their  rear  ;  that  Arnold 
should  go  to  the  relief  of  Fort  Stanwix  ;  that  if  all  worked  together 
Burgoyne  would  find  it  equally  difficult  to  advance  or  retreat. — Ban- 
croft. 


1 78         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

So  I  have  said  to  Gates ;  and  we  have  quarreled  on  this 
issue. 

LINCOLN — And  hence  you  are  without  command.  Nor 
will  Gates  restore  you.  So  you  will  not  tread  a  measure 
when  the  next  dance  comes  on. 

ARNOLD — And  if  I  don't,  then  write  me  down  as  the 
dull  ass  of  Washington's  major  generals.  These  stars 
upon  my  uniform  carry  with  them  the  privilege  to  com- 
mand. They  will  dazzle  when  the  embattled  lightnings 
begin  to  play,  nearest  to  the  foe.  No  danger  there  of 
meeting  Gates,  whose  state  and  nerves  seek  safer  sta- 
tion. I  withdrew  in  anger.  I  now  elect  to  stay  and 
finish  the  work  Washington  sent  me  here  to  do.  I  shall 
be  in  the  dance  when  the  music  swells! 

LINCOLN — Turbulent  and  restless  spirit !  You  were 
born  sword  in  hand,  and  for  strife  was  your  ordaining  ! 
Before  breakfast  it  is  your  love  to  fight.  Before  dinner 
and  supper,  too,  you  would  do  the  same;  and  after  each 
meal  resume  where  you  left  off.  In  the  feast  that  re- 
stores nature's  wasted  strength  you'd  hurry  on,  and  be- 
grudge the  minutes  given  thus,  as  so  much  filched  from 
favorite  pastime.  This  is  the  tiger's  quality,  and  is  the 
courage  of  brutish  beasts — grandest  in  the  brute  that  is 
grandest  in  brutality.  True  courage  shines  most  in  him 
who,  fearing  any  hurt,  yet  loyal  to  duty,  marches  with 
steadiest  step  even  to  the  lips  of  belching  cannon. 

ARNOLD — If  I  were  ordained  to  fight,  then  I  am  thus 
compelled.  The  occasion  when,  I  hope,  is  left  for  me  to 
choose.  I  find  such  occasion  now,  when  the  fighting 
plume  befits  it  as  priestly  robes  do  prayer.  By  thou- 
sands our  kindred  are  this  moment  wasting  in  New  York 
prisons,  while  Cunningham's  curses  are  the  benediction 
to  their  departing  souls.  All  this  rushes  with  the  blood, 
and  nerves  my  arm  and  steels  my  sword  for  action. 
After  the  occasion  passes,  I'll  be  as  gentle  as  yon  hurt- 
less  wren  ;  and  bury  this  blade  as  deep  as  the  volcanic 
fires  it  came  from.  Then  I'll  turn  in  my  toes  as  I  walk 
along;  be  knock-kneed  ;  of  simpering  smile  and  lisping 
tongue,  and  thus  ape  the  manners  of  lily-livered  men. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION,        1 79 

All  this  I'll  do  for  peace,  though  for  naught  of  this  was 
ever  I  ordained. 

LINCOLN — [A  gun  is  hcard^\  That  gun  was  not  ours, 
and  is  much  too  near.  We  will  move  away.  [All  retire. 

Enter  GEN.  BURGOYNE,  RIEDESEL,  FRASER,  and  soldiers. 

BURGOYNE — It  was  on  the  2ist  that  Sir  Henry 
promised  aid.  The  6th  of  October  is  here,  though  not 
yet  gone,  and  no  further  word  from  him,  nor  sign  of 
help.4 

RIEDESEL — In  all  this  time  we  have  heard  the  morn- 
ing drums  of  the  opposing  force,  so  closely  are  we  to 
each  other  camped,  and  yet  know  nothing  of  his  power 
or  position.  This  spot  whereon  we  stand  is  common 
ground  between  us.' 

BURGOYNE — That  he  has  not  assailed  us  in  all  this 
time  reveals  timidity  or  weakness. 

FRASER — It  may  be  he  only  waits  till  we  come  forth 
to  more  certain  overthrow.  So  the  hunter  waits  for  the 
starved  lion  driven  to  his  lair. 

BURGOYNE — At  the  council  yesterday  each  of  you 
voted  for  retreat.  Phillips  his  advice  refused.7 

RIEDESEL — I  still  maintain  and  urge  my  vote.  Our 
men  are  on  rations  much  cut  down.  The  foragers  are 
captured  and  our  cattle  driven  off.  The  sick  and 
wounded  are  a  heavy  burden.  I  will  vouch  for  a  safe 
withdrawal,  if  made  before  all  the  doors  to  Canada  are 
closed — trusting  this  is  not  so  already. 

FRASER — I  am  of  the  opinion  that  in  retreat  we  escape 
from  greatest  danger. 

6  On  the  2ist  of  September  Burgoyne  received  from  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  a  promise  of  aid,  but  it  never  came. — Bancroft. 

•  During  the  period  of  inaction  following  the  battle  of  September 
19,  the  Briti-ih  were  so  near  the  Americans  that  they  could  hear  their 
morning  and  evening  guns,  their  dru;ns,  and  other  noises  of  the 
camp,  and  yet  they  knew  not  their  position  or  strength. — Stone's  Bur- 
goyne's  Campaign,  etc. 

1  On  the  evening  of  October  5  Burgoyne  called  a  council  of  war, 
and  Riedesel  and  Fraser  advised  that  the  army  fall  back.  Phillips 
gave  no  opinion. — Stone's  Burgoyne  s  Campaign,  etc. 


l8o         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

BURGOYNE — I  have  said  this  army  would  not  retreat." 
How  against  the  gorge  it  goes  to  swallow  your  own 
words,  reversing  what  they  meant.  Honor,  reputation, 
pride — all  cry  out  against  it. 

RIEDESEL — The  safety  of  the  army. 

BURGOYNE — I  know  !  I  know  !  Still,  I  am  but  human, 
and  so  follow  human  guides.  Thus  shall  it  be.  To- 
morrow, with  a  selected  force  of  full  fifteen  hundred  men, 
in  person  leading  them,  we  will  advance  and  know  what 
is  before  us.  If  we  then  retreat,  we  shall  do  so  because 
knowledge  gained  compels  it.'  [All  retire. 


SCENE  VIII.  Same  as  Act  V.  Scene  4.  Headquarters 
of  GEN.  GATES  on  JBetnis  Heights.  Time  :  October  7, 
1777. 

Enter   GEN.  GATES,    GEN.    LINCOLN,  COL.   STANDISH, 
three  AIDS,  and  soldiers. 

GATES — [Drums  are  heard  in  the  distance.]  What  is 
the  meaning  of  that  beat  to  arms  from  our  drums  ? 

Enter  COL.  ALDEN  hurriedly. 

ALDEN — The  enemy  in  front  advances  in  force,  with 
show  of  battle. 

GATES — Then  we  will  indulge  him.  Order  Morgan  to 
begin  the  game,  and  Gen.  Dearborn  to  support  him  with 
all  his  infantry.1  [Exit  COL.  ALDEN. 

8  Referring  to  his  proclamation  when  the  army  left  Canada. 

'  Burgoyne  [after  the  council  of  war.  See  Note  7]  decided  that 
he  would  make  a  reconnaissance  in  force,  and  get  at  the  position  of 
the  Americans,  before  he  fell  back,  as  advised. — Stone's  Burgoyne's 
Campaign,  etc. 

Burgoyne  would  not  hear  of  a  retreat. —  Von  Eelking. 

1  An  aid  of  Gen.  Gates  reported  to  him  on  October  7  that  the 
enemy  was  advancing,  and,  in  his  opinion,  offering  battle.  "  I  would 
indulge  them,"  said  the  aid.  "Well,  then,"  said  Gates,  "order 
Morgan  to  begin  the  game." — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 

Morgan  was  striving  to  reach  the  rear  of  the  British,  upon  whom 
Dearborn  impetuously  descended. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         181 

STANDISH — From  what  I    observed  before  entrance 
here,  a  greater  force  than  this  is  needed. 

GATES  —  Then  Poor's  and 
Larned's  brigades  advance  at 
once.  Convey  this  order.2 

[Exit  COL.  STANDISH. 

[To  FIRST  AID]— Go  as  far 
to  the  front  as  possible,  and, 
with  eye  and  ear  noting  what 
is  done,  report  here  to  me 
immediately. 

[Exit  FIRST  AID. 

LINCOLN — My  place  is  yon- 
der  to  head  my  column  when 
hot  work  begins. 

GATES — The  center  of  the 
line  be  your  place,  Gen.  Lin- 
coln.3 

[Exit  GEN.  LINCOLN. 
[To  SECOND  AID] — Convey 
to  Generals  Nixon  and  Glover 
my  orders,  that  if  not  so  ar- 
ranged as  previously  advised, 
they  hold  the  right  to-day." 

[Exit  SECOND  AID. 
[To  THIRD  AID] — And  Morgan  and  Larned  the  left, 
so  far  as  conditions  favor  it.     Go  quickly.5 

[Exit  THIRD  AID. 

2  Poor  and  Larned's  brigades  were  ordered  to  attack  the  left. — 
Irving. 

3  Gen.  Lincoln  was  ordered  to  the  center  of  the  line.     See  Note  5, 
post. 

4  Generals  Nixon  and  Glover  to  the  right  of  the  line.     See  Note 
5,  post. 

6  And  Morgan  and  Larned  to  the  left  of  the  line.  On  the  7th  of 
October  the  American  army  [for  battle],  with  their  right  wing  on  the 
North  River  and  their  left  extending  to  Bemis  Heights.  Gen- 
erals Nixon  and  Glover  commanded  on  the  right,  Lincoln  the  center, 
and  Morgan  and  Larned  the  left. — Stone 's  Burgoynis  Campaign, 
etc. 


1 82         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

GATES  \inu sing~\ — Again,  as  on  the  ipth  of  Septem- 
ber, I  am  alone  with  Fate,  which  extends  or  withholds 
the  laurel.  No  fear  shakes  me  now,  since  we  attack 
a  baffled  foe  and  assail  with  heavier  numbers.  The 
columns  in  which  I  trust,  would  change  even  a  drooping 
cause  to  victory  ;  then  much  more  surely  will  they  crush 
an  enemy  half  vanquished  from  one  defeat.  This  day, 
this  hour,  brings  to  me  the  trophies  of  a  soldier,  such  as 
the  most  aspiring  might  be  proud  to  wear ! 

Enter  FIRST  AID  hurriedly. 

Welcome  be  your  quick  return,  if  good  news  be  your 
proclamation  !  Your  celerity,  if  joined  with  good  report, 
shall  not  go  unrewarded. 

FIRST  AID — The  British  advance  in  three  columns. 
Burgoyne  leads  the  center; 
with  Col.  Ackland  on  the 
left,  and  Gen.  Fraser  on  the 
right.'  Morgan  opened  the 
combat,  and,  with  the  rush 
of  a  torrent,  struck  Fraser 
*and  swept  him  back ;  then 
around  upon  the  other  flank 
of  the  British  he  opened  his 
galling  fire  ;  now  Dearborn 
saluted  them  in  front,  and 
rout  ensued.  Lord  Balcarres 
rallied  the  fugitives,  and  again  they  came  into  action.7 
Poor  and  his  brigade,  with  telling  volleys,  faced  the 
grape  of  British  grenadiers  till  they,  panic-stricken,  fled ; 

6  Burgoyne's  order  of  battle  was :  Col.  Ackland  and  his  British 
grenadiers  and  Major  Williams,  with  artillery,  formed  the  left  [oppo- 
site Nixon  and  Glover  on  the  American  right].     Next  was  Burgoyne, 
with  Riedesel  and  Gen.  Phillips  in  the  center  [opposite  Gen.  Lincoln]. 
And  Gen.  Fraser  and  Lord  Balcarres  were  on  the  extreme  right  [op- 
posite Morgan  and  Lamed  on  the  American  left]. — Irving. 

7  As  soon  as  the  action  began,  Morgan  poured  like  a  torrent  upon 
Fraser,  and  forced  him  back  ;  then,  by  a  rapid  movement  to  the  left, 
he  fell  upon  the  flank  of  the  British  right,  and  it  was  on  the  point  of 
giving  way.     Dearborn  just  then  gave  such  a  galling  fire  in  front  that 
they  broke  and  fled  in  wild  confusion.     Balcarres  rallied  them  again, 
and  they  came  into  action. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


WASHINGTON,  OR   THE  REVOLUTION.        183 


while  Col.  Cilley  turned  captured  guns  back  upon  these 
losers,  now  in  full  retreat." 

GATES — Then  the  battle  is  now  on,  and  all  this  is 
done  within  the  time  it  takes  to  tell  of  it.  This  impetu- 
osity of  our  troops,  born  of  confidence, 
is  worth  a  grand  division  of  half-hearted 
men  ;  besides,  in  force,  we  are  two  to 
one.  And  the  foe  are  so  quickly  fall- 
ing back  ?  So  you  have  reported  ? 

FIRST  AID — I  gathered  the  facts 
while  spurs  were  pricking  my  animal 
to  fullest  speed,  with  Col.  Wilkinson9 
keeping  at  my  side  and  cramming  me. 
He  bid  me  say  that  the  British  are  now 
retreating,  back  to  the  intrenchments  from  which  they 
marched  forth  this  noon. 

GATES — Then  we  will  push  nearer  to  the  front,  and 
closer  be  to  messengers  of  like  glad  tidings. 

\All  retire. 

SCENE  IX.  A  place  on  the  field  behveen  the  contending  lines. 
Enter  GEN.  LINCOLN,  with  COL.  STANDISH  and  soldiers. 

LINCOLN  —  Good     fortune 
favoring,  the  day  is  ours. 

STANDISH — Burgoyne  is  in 
retreat. 

LINCOLN — Fraser  has  fallen  ;  and  at  the  command  of 
Morgan.1 

8  Poor,  with  his  brigade,  marched  steadily  against  the  grenadiers 
and  artillery  of  Ackland  and  Williams.     They  awaited  a  shower  of 
grape  and  musket-balls,  and  then  rushed  forward,  firing  right  and 
left.     They  mowed  the  grenadiers  down  at  every  shot.     Ackland  was 
wounded,  and  the  grenadiers  gave  way.     Artillery  was  taken  and  re- 
taken, till,  at  last,  Cilley  kept  it  and  turned  it  upon  the  flying  British. 
— Stone's  Burgoyne' s  Campaign,  etc. 

9  Col.  Wilkinson  was  chief  aid  to  Gen.  Gates,  and  was  specially 
sent  out  at  this  precise  moment  to  gather  news  of  the  action. 

1  Gen.  Fraser,  from  the  right  of  the  British  lines,  moved  to  aid  the 
faltering  center  ;  and  here  he  was  observed  by  Gen.  Morgan,  and 
singled  out  as  a  target  for  "  Tim  Murphy,"  a  sharpshooter.  Fraser 
fell,  mortally  wounded. — Stone's  Biirgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


184         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

STANDISH — Ackland  and  Sir  Francis  Clark,  both 
wounded,  are  our  prisoners.  Williams,  the  chief  of 
their  artillery,  is  dead.  Their  loss  is  great  in  men  and 
guns. 

LINCOLN — This  spot,  so  far  in  advance,  may  again  see 
the  enemy.  Follow  me  ;  work  is  yet  to  do.  [All  retire. 

Enter  BURGOYNE,  RIEDESEL,  BREYMAN,  and  soldiers. 

BURGOYNE — We  are  surely  outnum- 
bered. And  braver  men  than  we  have 
met  to-day  never  crossed  a  field. 

RIEDESEL — To  our  intrenchments  ! 
There  is  no  time  to  spare. 

BURGOYNE  —  The  retreat 
has  been  sounded,  and  every 
battalion  is  moving  back.* 

BREYMAN — Behind  the 
breastworks  we  will  repel 
them,  if  their  audacity  carries 
them  so  far. 

BURGOYNE — When  Fraser 
fell,  what  was  done?    I  was  not  near. 

RIEDESEL — I  had  him  removed  to  where  Madam  Riede- 
sel  remains,  and  committed  to  her  care.  And  so  with 
many  others  as  unfortunate. 

BURGOYNE — Unhappy  woman  !  At  this  same  hour 
some  of  us  were  engaged  with  her  to  dinner.  The  table 
of  the  intended  feast  has  become  a  bloody  bier  !  And 
Col.  Ackland?' 

BREYMAN — Wounded,  he  was  carried  into  the  Ameri- 
can lines. 


*  Upon  the  fall  of  Fraser,  Burgoyne  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  great 
redoubt. — Stone 's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 

*  Madam  Riedesel  said,  in  speaking  afterward,  that,  on  the  very  day 
of  the  reconnaissance  [the  day  of  the  battle],   Burgoyne,   Phillips, 
Fraser,  and  other  officers,  were  engaged  to  dine  with  her  ;  and  in  the 
very  house,  some  of  the  expected  guests  were  brought  to  die,  at  the 
very  hour  appointed  for  the  dinner. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign, 
etc. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        185 

BURGOYNE — I  have  not  avoided  danger.  You  both 
will  witness  this,  if  ever  called. 

RIEDESEL — You  have  exposed  yourself  to  rashness.4 

BURGOYNE — I  could  win  no  bullet  as  a  friend,  though 

many  came  so  near  and  so  many  were  to  spare.     But 

the  fight  is  not  yet  closed,  and  shall  not  be,  with  us 

beyond  it.     My  sword  is  yet  my  own.  [All  retire. 

Enter  hurriedly  GEN.   LINCOLN,  COL.  STANDISH,  COL. 
ALDEN,  and  AIDS. 

LINCOLN — I  thought  the  struggle  for  the  day  was 
over.  The  foe  are  hurrying  to  their  intrenchments. 
Arnold  now  renews  the  battle,  his  own 
will  directing. 

STANDISH — He  is  a  Major-General, 
and  so,  ranking  all  near  to  him  in  the 
action,  the  troops  obey  him. 

LINCOLN — And  though  he  is  not 
my  commander  in  rank,  yet  in  the  ab- 
sence of  a  superior  chieftain,  I  will 
gladly  take  his  orders.6 

STANDISH — The  soldiers  follow  him 
as  they  would  no  other.     His  name  is  magic  to  enthuse 
them.     They   would   storm   the    devil,    and   drag  him 
from  his  sulphurous   home, — or  at- 
tempt it, — if  he  led  them  on. 
LINCOLN — What  place  is  this  ? 
ALDEN — Though  of  various  names, 
the  one  that  covers  all  is  Saratoga. 

4  Burgoyne  exposed  himself  fearlessly  ;  a  shot  passed  through  his 
hat,  and  another  through  his  waistcoat. — Bancroft. 

6  Arnold,  who  had  now  [ju>t  as  the  British  began  to  retreat]  come 
upon  the  field,  without  command,  without  a  staff, yet  carrying  author- 
ity as  the  highest  officer  present  in  action,  gave  orders  for  an  attack 
upon  the  strongest  point  of  the  British  lines. — Bancroft. 

On  hearing  the  din  of  battle,  he  [Arnold]  could  restrain  himself  no 
longer,  and  dashed  forward  to  the  scene  of  battle.  He  was  received 
with  acclamation.  Being  the  superior  officer  in  the  field,  his  orders 
were  obeyed,  of  course. — Irving. 

Gen.  Lincoln's  commission  of  Major-General  was  dated  February 
T9.  J777  I  and  that  of  Benedict  Arnold  May  2,  1777. — Arnold's 
Life  of  Benedict  Arnold. 


1 86         \\-ASIlIXGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

Enter  AID  in  haste. 

AID  \to  GEN.  LINCOLN] — Gen.  Arnold  is  preparing  to 
storm  the  enemy  in  his  works,  and  orders  all  to  hold 
their  powers  at  his  command. 

LINCOLN — Standish,  will  you  from  yonder  height  sur- 
vey the  lines,  and  make  statement  of  this  changed  con- 
dition ?  Arnold  has  just  come  upon  the  ground  which 
our  hands  have  won,  and  again  forward  presses  the 


panting  columns  we  halted  in  their  shouts  of  triumph. 

{Exit  STANDISH. 

[To  AID] — Report  to  Gen.  Arnold  that  we  are  ready, 
if  he  calls.  [Exit  AID. 

[To  ALDEN] — To  Gen.  Gates,  wherever  he  may  be 
found,  with  the  report  that  Arnold  assumes  command, 
and  prepares  to  pursue  the  British,  even  into  his  camp.* 
This  will  be  news  to  him. 

[Exit  COL.  ALDEN. 

Our  dogs  of  war,  resting  their  heads  between  their 
paws  and  licking  their  bloody  chops,  wearied  with  their 

'Arnold,  putting  himself  at  the  head  of  the  troops,  attacked  the 
Hessians  in  the  enemy's  center,  and  broke  them  with  repeated 
charges.  — Irving. 

Scarcely  had  the  British  passed  within  their  camp,  when  it  was 
stormed  with  great  fury.  Arnold,  at  the  head  of  the  column, 
rushed  upon  the  British,  against  a  severe  charge  of  grape  and  small- 
arms.  Lord  Balcarres  defended  the  intrenchment. — Irving. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.        187 

excesses,  begin  to  growl  again,  because  Arnold  calls  to 
them. 

Enter  COL.  STANDISH. 

STANDISH — The  very  fiend  of  war,  incarnated  for  the 
hour,  now  riots  in  human  slaughter.  The  two  lines  are 
formefl;  and  while  one  falls  back,  ours,  with  greedy 
steps,  fills  up  the  retiring  space,  and  still 
onward  drives  retreat  !  Each  to  the  other 
volleys  in  such  quick  succession  that  the  air 
is  heavy  with  resounding  thunders  ;  while  a 
sulphurous  pall  shuts  from  the  view  a  wreck 
of  life  in  hideous  ruin  sinking.7 

LINCOLN — In  such  a  scene,  surely  Arnold  holds  high 
revelry. 

STANDISH — He  rides  between  the  lines.  In  wanton- 
ness, he  wooes  the  bullets  of  either  side,  disdaining  the 
General's  place  behind  his 
soldiers.  Out  from  the  rift- 
ing clouds  of  battle,  flashes 
now  and  then  a  glint  of  steel, 
as  when  the  forked  light- 
nings gleam  in  the  inky 
heavens.  It  is  the  sword  of 
Arnold,  working  a  magic  spell 
of  self-forgetfulness  upon 
his  frenzied  followers.  His 
coal-black  steed  is  white 
with  foam,  and  dashes  here 
and  there  as  if  tempest-tossed, 
nor  felt  the  earth  beneath 
him  ;  and  every  minute  the 
wild  and  maddened  line 
presses  close,  and  closer  still,  after  a  mad  com- 


7  The  action  was  fierce  and  the  loss  of  life  terrible.  "So  severe 
was  the  fighting  at  this  point  [before  the  great  n  doubt,  defended 
by  Balcarres,  wrote  one  engaged  in  the  conflict]  that  in  the  low 
ground  in  front  of  the  redoubt,  the  blood  and  water  were  knee  deep." — 
Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


1 88         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

mander.8  He  loudly  calls  upon  Lord  Balcarres,  who 
hurries  the  retreating  columns  toward  the  great  re- 
doubt ;  so  the  wounded  brute,  pushed  on  with  terror, 
gathers  his  brood  into  his  rocky  den.  And  along  the 
ranks  of  these  pursuing  furies,  above  the  din,  is  heard 
the  battle  cry  of  "  Liberty  or  Death  !  " 

LINCOLN — I  am  all  on  fire  while  you  the  picture  fur- 
nish of  this  lurid  struggle.  And  in  it  all  my  part  I'll 
grandly  play,  or  rest  with  epitaph  before  another  day. 

[All  retire. 

Enter  a  British  officer,  flying;  ARNOLD  in  pursuit. 

ARNOLD — Quick-footed  Mercury,  go  not  so  fast ;  for 
you  have  naught. to  fear  from  me  while  greater  game  is 


flying.  This  sword  is  dyed  with  ruddy  currents,  let 
from  baser  mortals,  and  is  henceforth  reserved  for  dain- 
tier handiwork.  Lord  Balcarres,  these  hills  have  this 
day  echoed  with  Arnold's  call  to  you.  Come  forth,  and 
you  and  I,  like  those  ancient  Romans,  hang  victory  upon 

8  "  He  [Arnold]  behaved  like  a  madman  more  than  a  cool  and 
discreet  officer,"  writes  Woodruff,  a  sergeant,  in  this  battle. 
Spurring  his  horse  onward  with  the  ferocity  of  a  tiger,  he  dashed 
from  vhe  left  to  the  extreme  right  of  the  British  lines,  exposed  to  the 
cross-fire  of  the  two  armies. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 

Indeed,  his  actions  seemed  to  partake  of  frenzy — riding  here  and 
there,  brandishing  his  sword  and  cheering  the  men  on  to  acts  of 
desperation.  — Irving. 


WASHINGTON,   OR   THE  REVOLUTION.         189 

the  better  sword  we  carry  !  Come  forth,  I  say  !  and  let 
me  clip  your  name  in  two,  taking  from  the  honest  half 
that  title  which,  like  its  kind,  is  worn  by  the  silliest  fools 
as  often  as  by  the  noblest  men  ;  and  so  is  a  common  sham 
that  all  mankind  should  slash  and  tread  upon.  Now 
for  the  Hessian  lines,  while  halts  the  day ;  since  these 
English  will  here  no  longer  stay  !  [Exit. 

Enter  GEN.  GATES,  AIDS,  and  soldiers. 

GATES  [addressing  an  AID] — Arnold  has  no  com- 
mand to-day,  nor  do  I  intend  him  any.  I  am  moved  at 
what  you  tell  me.  His  presence  is  intrusion.  Here 
come  further  tidings. 

Enter  COL.  ALDEN. 

ALDEN — As  directed  by  Gen.  Lincoln,  I  report  to  you. 
I  have  inquired  where  join  the  assailant  and  assailed. 
When  the  retreat  began,  and 
while  our  soldiers  rested,  Gen. 
Arnold,  at  this  very  moment, 
ordered  a  renewal  of  the  bat- 
tle. Assuming  command,  he 
led  pursuit  even  to  the  British  camp.  After  the  first 
attack  upon  the  main  intrenchments,  at  the  head  of 
the  divisions  of  Brooks  and  Lamed,  he  drove  at  the 
Hessians.  In  his  furious  onset,  he  en- 
tered the  breastworks  of  the  enemy  just  as 
their  defender,  Breyman,  fell.  Still  the 
gale  is  blowing.9 

GATES — Go  with  this  order  to  Gen. 
Arnold.  Others  have  preceded  it,  but 
are  so  far  unheeded.  And  say,  also,  to 
enforce  what  here  is  writ :  it  is  my  com- 
mand that  he  immediately  retires.  Go 
quickly,  or  he  will  do  something  rash. 

'  Arnold,  leaving  his  attack  upon  the  great  redoubt  I  against 
Balcarres],  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  Larned's  brigade,  and 
attacked  the  Brunswickers  so  fiercely  that  Col.  Breyman  was  killed, 
leaving  the  key  of  the  British  position  in  the  hands  of  the 
Americans. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


190         WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

ALDEN — General,  he  has  done  something  rash.  He 
has  vanquished  Burgoyne.10  [Exit  ALDEN. 

GATES  [listening] — The  intervening  space  increas- 
ing, of  lesser  fury  is  the  sound  of  battle.  Listen  ! 


Listen  !  Farther  and  farther  recedes  the  roll  of  our 
angry  rifles,  pushing  the  enemy  before  it  to  sure 
destruction  ! 

AID — The  roar  is  fainter  than  it  was. 

GATES  -[aside] — The  glory  of  this  day  shall  be  mine 
without  a  rival.  And  so  the  recall  of  Arnold  is  a  well- 
timed  deed. 

Enter  COL.  STANDISH. 

STANDISH — I  come  from  the  Hessian  redoubt.  All 
was  going  well,  and  a  complete  capture  of  the  invaders 
seemed  at  hand,  when  Arnold,  wounded,  fell.  Just  then 
was  handed  him  your  order  to  retire.  In  obedience,  our 
forces  withdrew  ;  and  the  foe,  now  shattered  without 
hope,  gain  a  breathing  spell.11 

10  In  the  midst  of  his  [Arnold's]  success,  Gates'  order  was  handed 
to  him,  to  leave  the   field  and  return  to  camp,  Gates  saying  "he 
feared  that  he  [Arnold]  would  do  something  rash." — Stone's  Bur- 
goynSs  Campaign,  etc. 

11  Just  as  Arnold  had  forced  his  way  into  the  camp  of  the  enemy, 
a  shot  from  the  retreating  Hessians  killed  his  [Arnold's]  horse  and 
wounded   him   in   the  same  leg  which  had  received  a  wound  before 
Quebec.     He  was  borne  off  the  field,  and  just   then  was  handed 
Gates'  order  to  withdraw. — Irving. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         191 

GATES — In  good  time  Burgoyne  must  yield.  We  need 
not  press  him  now. 

STANDISH— Here  comes  Gen.  Arnold,  carried  by  his 
men  and  followed  by  a  retinue. 

[Cheering  is  heard   from    without,  and  cheering 

soldiers  enter. 

Great   Jove,  giving  his  bolts   a  little   time   to  cool, 
wretched   mortals  gain   a   peaceful 
hour. 

GATES — I  grieve  with  any  man 
who  suffers. 

STANDISH — To  him  who  suffers 
in  the  right,  this  thought  is  physic 
to  assuage  the  keenest  pain. 

Enter  COL.  ALDEN,  a  detachment  of  Morgan's  riflemen, 
and  other  officers  and  soldiers,  followed  by  GEN. 
ARNOLD,  wounded  and  carried. 

All  hail  !  All  hail  !  to  Benedict  Arnold,  the  hero  of 
Saratoga  !  [All  cheer. 

GATES  [/^ARNOLD] — Are  you  badly  hurt? 

ARNOLD — A  scratch  !  A  ball  in  the  same  leg  that  got 
another  at  Quebec.  This  will  heal  as  the  other  has. 

GATES — The  battle  has  been  fought  and  won.  Now 
to  a  surgeon  and  to  kinder  nursing  than  this  place  pro- 
vides.  [Cheering.  All  retire. 


SCENE  X.    Headquarters  of  GEN.  GATES  upon  Saratoga 
Heights. 

Enter  GEN.  GATES,  GEN.  SCHUYLER,  aids  and  soldiers. 

GATES — This  final  act  would  be  marred,  Gen.  Schuyler, 
without  your  presence.  Here  we  fix  the  place  of  sur- 
render now  agreed  upon.1 

SCHUYLER — No  one  can  extend  to  you  more  hearty 

1  Gen.  Schuyler  was  invited,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne,  October  17,  1777. 


I92          WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

congratulations.  This  crowning  act  of  glory  is  inter- 
woven with  a  chaplet  from  our  honored  chief. 

GATES— I  have  not  heard  ? 

SCHUYLER — It  is  from  post,  just  in.  Washington  as- 
sumed the  offensive  at  Germantown  ;  and  on  the  3d  gave 
Howe  a  lesson  in  audacity.  With  an  army  of  inferior 
size  and  mostly  raw  militia — and  these  so  poorly  equipped 
that  more  than  a  thousand  men  were  shoeless — he  in- 


vited the  Briton  to  the  open  plain.     In  short,  assaulted 
him. 

GATES — And  with  what  result  ? 

SCHUYLER — In  a  heavy  fog,  confusion  usurped  the 
place  of  certainty,  and  the  movement  failed  therefrom. 
It  was  a  drawn  battle,  and  advantage  fell  to  neither, 
except  that  the  Briton  learned  from  this  that  his  pillow 
in  Philadelphia  was  not  to  be  an  easy  one. 

GATES — It  is  surely  an  advantage  to  our  side  to  teach 
the  other  such  a  lesson  ;  and  to  leave  anxiety  to  corrode 
the  hope  of  rest.  What  is  the  next  move  ? 

SCHUYLER — Washington  will  go  into  winter  quarters 
at  Valley  Forge,"  and  from  that  point  in  the  months  to 

8  On  the  3d  of  October  Washington  planned  to  assail  a  part  of  the 
British  force  at  Germantown.  A  heavy  fog  prevented  the  pre- 
arranged union  of  forces,  and  the  battle  was  drawn.  The  renewal  of 
an  attack  so  soon  after  Brandywine  inspirited  Congress  and  the 
army.  Washington  later  went  into  quarters  at  Valley  Forge. — 
Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         193 

come,  reduce  the  British  commissary  as  he  did  at  Cam- 
bridge ;  and  after  at  Morristown.  If  you  can  starve  your 
adversary,  you  do  as  well  as  to  win  his  sword  in  open 
conflict. 

GATES— Short  rations  to  Burgoyne  were  to  us  worth 


batteries  of  artillery.  We  have  starved  him  as  well 
as  whipped  him  to  a  surrender.  Even  in  his  hunger, 
we  have  made  his  sleep  uneasy  since  the  yth.  Daily 
we  have  pounded  him.  And  at  last,  with  Fellows  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Hudson,  Stark  at  Fort  Edward, 
and  the  main  army  pushing  him  in  front,  the  circle  of 
fire  was  complete  and  the  end  inevitable.  Six  thousand 


194         WASHINGTON,   OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

prisoners  and  arms  and  cannon  fall  to  us.      Since  leav- 
ing Canada  Burgoyne  loses  ten  thousand  soldiers.3 
SCHUYLER — Is  it  an  unconditional  surrender? 

GATES — In  reality  it  is  so.  Though 
some  concessions  are  made  as  salve 
to  wounded  pride,  which  amount  to 
nothing :  Putnam's  letter,  that  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  had  forced  the  pathway 
of  the  Hudson,  smoothed  the  road 
with  me,  quickly  to  yield  to  these  con- 
cessions. 

SCHUYLER — I  never  believed  that  Putnam  would  let 
Sir  Henry  pass. 

GATES — He  was  outmaneuvered  and  withdrew  from 
Peekskill,  when  the  English  landed  at  a  point  below. 
The  way  was  open  then  for  storming  our  forts,  Clinton 
and  Montgomery.  They  fell,  though  the  Governor  and 
his  brother  made  a  stout  defense  of  both  ;  and  sold  them 
dearly.  This  was  on  the  yth.  Then  Putnam  hurried 
his  post  to  me,  that  the  path  was  clear  and  that  Sir 
Henry  and  all  his  power  might  strike  us  here  at  any 
time.4 

SCHUYLER — These  surely  were  moments  of  harrow- 
ing anxiety? 

GATES — And  yet  Sir  Henry  did  not  choose  to  come  ; 
now  we  care  not  how  soon  he  does.  [Drums  are 
heard  approaching^  The  troops  are  up  and  moving  ; 
at  the  hour  of  noon,  on  yonder  green  in  front  of  old 
Fort  Hardy,  will  the  prisoners  ground  their  arms. 

Enter  of  the  Americans,  GEN.  ARNOLD  (wounded  and  car- 
ried), GEN.   LINCOLN,  Morgan  s  riflemen,  generals 
and  officers,   aids   and  soldiers. 
GATES — Brave  compatriots  !     Thus  saluting,  in   this 

*  These  are  the  results  as  given  by  Bancroft. 

4  Sir  Henry  Clinton  having  made  an  effort  to  pass  the  Hudson, 
Putnam  failed  to  defend  it  ;  and  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery  fell 
after  a  stubborn  resistance.  On  the  ~th  of  October  Putnam  wrote  to 
Gates,  "  I  cannot  prevent  the  enemy  from  advancing  ;  prepare  for 
the  worst." — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION.         1 95 

hour  of  triumph,  one  injunction  I  lay  upon  you  all  : 
Nothing  so  becomes  the  victor  as  humility,  which  gives 
the  conqueror  a  double  crown.  Your  valorous  arms 
have  gained  so  many  laurels  upon  this  field  that 
wounds  now  from  no  good  reason  made,  adding  naught, 
would  tarnish  those  you  have.  Let  the  enemy,  as  he 
marches  by  to  his  humiliation,  see  upon  your  faces 
no  look  of  exultation  ;  nor  hear  from  your  lips  words 
of  senseless  insult.  Such  orders  have  been  proclaimed 


through  all  the  lines.  Alone  with  his  sorrow  of  defeat, 
a  soldier's  sorest  trial,  the  prisoner  will  go  to  the  place 
provided,  there  to  yield  up  the  arms  which  he  has 
borne  so  gallantly  against  us.5 

\_A  line  of  British  troops  begin  then  to  cross  the  rear 

of  the  stage,  marching  to  the  j>lace  of  grounded 

arms. 

Enter  of  the  British,  GENS.  BURGOYNE,  PHILLIPS, 
RIEDESEL,  with  aids,  officers,  and  staff. 

BURGOYNE — The    fortune   of    war,   Gen.    Gates,  has 
made  me  your  prisoner. 


5  The  British  marched  out  of  their  lines  and  laid  down  their  arms 
in  mute  astonishment  that  none  of  the  American  soldiers  were  present 
to  witness  the  spectacle. — Bancroft. 


I96         WASHINGTON,    OK   THE  REVOLUTION. 


GATES — And  I  shall  always  be  ready  to  testify  from 
no  fault  of  yours,  Gen.  Burgoyne.* 

[  They  shake  hands  cordially. 

BURGOYNE — This  sword  is  yours  by  right  of  con- 
quest.  [Hands  his  sword  to  GATES. 

GATES  {taking  the  sword] — And  yours,  by  right  of 
valor.  The  greater  claim  wipes  out  the  lesser,  and  the 
sword  remains  your  own.7  [Hands  back  the  sword. 

BURGOYNE  [receiving  his  sword] — It  lightens  the  cruel 
hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  when  a  heavy  load  like  mine 


is  lifted  from  bending 
shoulders  with  such 
generous  words, 
winged  with  kindness 
and  magnanimity. 

GATES — To  these  marching  columns  [pointing  to  the 
English  tine,  still  tramping  across  the  stage}  I  have  or- 
dered  ample  rations,  that  they  may  find  in  us  no  stint  of 
hospitality.8  [Burgoyne  bows. 

And  upon  you,  Gen.  Burgoyne,  as  well  as  upon  such 

6  When  the  generals  met  on  the  day  of  the  surrender,  Burgoyne, 
raising  his  hat,  said:  "The  fortune  of  war,  Gen.  Gates,  has  made 
me  your  prisoner."  To  which  Gates  replied,  "  I  shall  always  be 
ready  to  testify  that  it  has  not  been  through  any  fault  of  yours,  Gen. 
Burgoyne. " — Irving. 

1  Burgoyne,  drawing  his  sword  in  the  presence  of  the  two  armies, 
presented  it  to  Gen.  Gates.  The  latter  received  it  with  a  courteous 
bow,  and  immediately  returned  it  to  the  vanquished  General. — Stone's 
Burgoyne  s  Campaign,  etc. ' 

*  Upon  the  surrender  bread  was  served  to  the  British  soldiers,  for 
they  had  none  left,  nor  flour. — Bancroft. 


WASHINGTON,  OR    THE  REVOLUTION".         197 

officials  as  are  your  attendants  here,  we  lay  the  privilege 
of  playing  host  to-day  ;  a  happy  part,  when  honored 
guests  accept  with  a  good  will,  and  so  enrich  the  poorest 
banquet.  You  will  all  dine  with  me  ;  nor  hold  me  at 
fault  if,  in  these  hours  so  heavy  with  affairs  now  closed, 
our  neglected  table  is  not  what  our  love  and  our  duty, 
too,  would  make  it  ! ' 

BURGOYNE — We  join  the  feast  prepared  and  thus  pro- 


posed, with  grateful  hearts  to  you,  who  thus  honor  us  as 

guests. 

[  Two  orderlies  enter  and  quickly  pass  to  all  the  offi- 
cers a  salver  covered  with  glasses  filled  with 
wine. 

GATES — Meanwhile,  since  we  await  the  preparations, 
we  will  tease  the  appetite,  to  a  greater  greed  when  the 
summons  calls  us  to  the  sitting.  A  rare  old  stock,  Gen- 
eral, as  I  can  testify  ! 

\All  of  the  officers  take  in  their  hands  a  glass  of 
wine. 

9  Burgoyne,  with  his  Generals,  dined  with  Gen.  Gates  in  his  tent  on 
boards  laid  across  barrels.  The  dinner  was  served  in  four  dishes,  the 
Americans  at  this  time  being  accustomed  to  plain  and  frugal  food. — 
Stone's  Bttrgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


198         WASHINGTON,    OR    THE  REVOLUTION. 

BURGOYNE — By  the  double  right  of  guest  and  pris- 
oner I  offer  here  the  toast.  [All  bow  in  acquiescence. — 
Holding  high  his  glass.]  I  drink  to  Washington  ! 10 

ALL  [repeat] — To  Washington  ! 

[  They  drain  their  glasses. 

10  At  the  entertainment  given  by  Gen.  Gates,  Gen.  Burgoyne  pro- 
posed a  toast  to  Gen.  Washington. — Stone's  Burgoyne's  Campaign,  etc. 


[CURTAIN  FALLS.] 
END  OF  ACT  V.  AND  PART  I. 


HISTORICAL    REFERENCES. 

'  History  of  the  United  States."     Bancroft. 

'  Life  of  Washington."     Irving. 

'  Burgoyne's  Campaign  and  St.  Leger's  Expedition."  W.  L. 
Stone. 

'  German  Allied  Troops  in  the  Revolution."     Max  Von  Eelking. 

'  History  of  the  United  States."     Frost. 

'  Life  of  Franklin."     Bigelow. 

'  Life  of  Franklin."     Morse. 

'Life  of  Patrick   Henry."     Morse. 

'Jefferson's  Correspondence,  Etc."  Thos.  Jefferson  Randolph. 
1829. 

'  Reminiscences  of  Saratoga."     W.  L.  Stone. 

'  History  of  New  York  City."     W.  L.  Stone. 

1  Romance  of  the  Revolution."     Philadelphia,  1870. 

'  Memorial  History  of  New  York."     James  Grant  Wilson.     1893. 

'Life  of  Benedict  Arnold."     Isaac  N.  Arnold. 


INDEX. 


Ackland,  Col.,  Commands  British  Left  Wing  at  Saratoga,  182 
Made  Prisoner  by  Gates  at  Saratoga,  184 

Lady,  At  Saratoga,  160-63 

Adams,  Samuel,  A  Son  of  Liberty,  In  the  Tea  Riot,  9 

Before  Independence  Hall,  58 

Excepted  in  Pardon  of  Gen.  Gage,  61 

Quarrel  with  Rutledge,  65 

Adams,  John,  Before  Independence  Hall,  58 

Sink  or  Swim — for  Independence,  62 

Favors  Gen.  Lee  over  Washington  as  Military  Head,  96 

Aids  to  Gage  in  Boston,  2,  3,  4,  5 

Putnam  at  Bunker  Hill,  32-38 

Cornwallis  at  Trenton,  107 

Aid  to  Washington  at  Trenton,  106 

Washington  at  Princeton,  109 

Stark  at  Bennington,  145 

Aids  to  Washington  at  Brandywine,  152,  153 

Burgoyne  at  Saratoga,  172 

Gates  at  Saratoga,  1 80,  181,  182 

Albany,  Meeting  of  Schuyler  and  Gates,  147 

Alden  (now  Farmer  George),  On  Watch  for  the  Signal,  23 

Geo.,  Capt.,  Meets  Standish  at  Baskingridge,  88 

• Made  Prisoner  with  Lee  at  Baskingridge,  98 

Col.  (before  Capt.),  At  Saratoga,  171,  172 

Allen,  Ethan,  Made  Prisoner  at  Montreal,  44 
American  Captain,  At  Lexington,  31 

Cruisers,  To  be  Treated  as  Pirates,  125 

Assanpink  River,  Trenton,  107 

Arnold,  Benedict,  Col.,  Sent  to  Canada  by  Washington,  44 

At  Danbury,  126 

Gen.  (Promoted),  In  Camp  of  Washington  at  Middlebrook, 

126-33 

Enraged  at  Delayed  Promotion,  126 

Ordered  by  Washington  to  Saratoga,  132 

On  March  to  Fort  Stanwix,  140 

On  Hearing  of  the  Death  of  Herkimer,  142 

On  Bemis  Heights,  156 


202  INDEX. 

Arnold,  Benedict,  Col.,  On  Bemis  Heights,  Mother  Yost,  a  Prisoner, 
and  Interview,  157-59 

Interview  with  Mother  Yost  at  Devil's  Glen,  165-69 

His  Threats  at  Devil's  Glen,  169 

Commands  Left  Wing  on  September  19  at  Saratoga,  170 

Quarrel  with  Gates  at  Saratoga,  175 

Interview  with  Gen.  Lincoln  at  Saratoga,  176-179 

Renews  the  Battle  of  October  7  at  Saratoga,  185 

Pursues  in  Fight  and  Calls  for  Lord  Balcarres  at  Saratoga,  188 

Wounded  in  Second  Battle  at  Saratoga,  190 

Carried  from  the  Field,  and  Cheered  as  the  Hero  of  Saratoga, 

191 

B 

Baum,  Col.  (Hessian),  Sent  by  Burgoyne  to  Bennington,  144 

Killed  at  Bennington,  145 

Balcarres,  Lord,  Gen.,  An  English  Commander  at  Saratoga,  182 
Barrington,  Sec.  of  War,  English,  Approves  of  Purchased  Troops,  52 

His  Opinion  of  Washington,  56 

Recounts  the  Purchased  Troops  to  Sail,  56 

Bell  of  Liberty,  Rung  in  Independence  Hall,  68 
Bennington,  Battle  of,  145-46 

Boston  Harbor,  Destruction  of  Tea,  6 

Massacre,  Citizens  Shot  Down,  6 

Brandywine,  Battle  of,  148-54 

Brant,  The  Mohawk  Chief,  King  and   Germain   Expect   Much  of 

Him,  124 

Breyman,  Col.,  At  Bennington,  146 
At  Saratoga,  173 

Killed  at  Saratoga,  189 

British  Captain,  Captures  Gen.  Lee  at  Baskingridge,  98 

Brooks,  Gen.,  An  American  Commander  at  Saratoga,  189 

Brunswick,  Duke  of,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  50 

Bryan,  A  Scout  to  Gates  at  Saratoga,  169 

Buckingham  Palace,  The  King  and  his  Cabinet  Meet  Franklin,  n 

Bunker  Hill,  The  Battle,  32-38 

— ^—  Bullets  Exhausted  (Americans'),  34 

Powder  Exhausted  (Americans'),  36 

The  Retreat,  37 

Burgoyne,  Jqhn,  Gen.,  With  King  and  Cabinet  at  London,  121 

Named  by  the  King  to  Command,  123 

Pledges  Himself  to  King  George,  123,  125 

Incensed  at  Carleton,  138,139 

At  Fort  Edward,  143 

Sends  Baum  to  Bennington,  144 

With  Lady  Ackland  and  Riedesel  and  Mother  Yost  at  Sara- 
toga, 161-64 

In  Battle  of  September  19,  172 

Refuses  to  Retreat  at  Saratoga,  180 


INDEX.  203 

Burgoyne,  John,  Gen.,  Resolves  upon  a  Reconnoissance  in  Force, 
i  So 

Surrenders  his  Sword  to  Gen.  Gates,  196 

Receives  back  his  Sword  from  Gates,  196 

Entertained  at  Dinner  by  Gates,  197 

Offers  the  Toast  :  "  I  Drink  to  Washington,"  198 

Burke,  Edmund,  A  Friend  to  America,  Reference  of  Lord  North,  15 


Cambridge,  Camp  of  Washington  :  His  Command,  38 
Camp  of  Washington,  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 
Canada,  Arnold  Sent  to  Canada  by  Washington,  44 

Disastrous  Expedition  Ordered  by  Congress,  60 

Captain,  British,  Who  Captured  General  Lee  at  Baskingridge,  98 

American,  At  Lexington,  31 

English,  At  Lexington,  26 

Carleton,  Sir  Guy,  Gen.,  Calls  for  Thirty  Thousand  Troops,  122 

At  Three  Rivers,  136 

Refuses  to  leave  Canada,  137 

Quarrels  with  Burgoyne,  138,  139 

Indignant  at  Lord  Germain,  139 

Cassel,  Hesse,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  45-52 
Charlestown,  The  Burning  of,  33 
Cherokees,  Indians,  Defeated,  59 

Church  Steeple,  Boston,  The  Signal  Light  that  British  Troops 
would  March,  23 

Cilly,  Col.,  At  Saratoga,  171 

Citizens,  Aged,  1st  and  2d,  Richmond,  Va.,  19-24 

Clark,  Sir  Francis,  An  English  Officer,  Mortally  Wounded  at  Sara- 
toga, 184 

Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  Gen.,  At  Bunker  Hill,  34 

In  Command  at  New  York,  135 

Clinton,  Fort,  Captured  by  Gen.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  194 

Concord,  Stores  Destroyed,  30 

Congress,  Partial  to  Gen.  Lee  as  Military  Head,  97 

At  Philadelphia,  154 

Leave  for  Lancaster,  154 

Cornwallis,  Lord,  Gen.,  At  Battle  of  Long  Island,  70 

—  At  Trenton,  107 
At  Brandywine,  152 

Enters  Philadelphia,  154 

Corporal,  To  Cunningham,  with  Prisoner,  Nathan  Hale,  86 
Countrymen,  Who  Tell  Rail  at  Trenton  of  Washington's  March,  103 
Courtland,  Col.,  An  American  Officer  at  Saratoga,  173 
Cunningham,  William,  British  Provost  Marshal  at  New  York,  79 

Drinks  with  His  Subordinates,  80,  81,  82 

Cruelty  to  His  Prisoners,  82,  83 

On  the  Burning  of  New  York  City,  83 

Braved  by  Standish,  83,  84 


204  INDEX. 

Cunningham,  William,  Hears  of  a  Dream  from  Prisoner  Standish,  84 

Executes  Nathan  Hale,  86,  87 

Is  Executed  at  Newgate  after  the  War,  85 


D 

Danbury,  Battle  of,  Tryon  Defeated  by  Arnold,  127 

Gen.  Wooster  Killed,  127 

Dartmouth,  Lord,  English  Secretary  of  State,  12 
Dearborn,  Gen.,  An  American  Commander  at  Saratoga,  182 
Declaration  of  Independence,  Signed,  66 

Proclaimed,  67 

Delaware,  West  Side  of,  Camp  of  Washington  before  Battle  of 

Trenton,  99 
Devil's  Glen,  At  Saratoga,  165 

Mother  Yost  Informs  Arnold  of  Movements  of  Burgoyne, 

166,167 

Mother  Yost  Tells  the  Fortune  of  Arnold,  168 


Dickinson,  John,  Before  Independence  Hall,  58 
Dick  Standish  (Farmer  Dick),  In  the  Tea  Riot,  9 
Duke  of  Brunswick,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  50 


E 

English,  The  Surrender  at  Saratoga,  195 

Lieutenant,  At  Lexington  (Harris),  26 

Captain,  At  Lexington,  26 


Faneuil  Hall,  Boston,  During  the  Tea  Riots,  IO 

Farmer  Dick  (Standish),  In  the  Tea  Riot,  9 

Faucit,  William,  Col.,  England's  Agent  to  Landgrave  for  Troops, 

45-52 

Ferdinand,  Son  of  Duke  of  Brunswick,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  50 
Flag  (The  American),  First  Raised  in  Battle  at  Fort  Stanwix,  142 
Fort  Stanwix,  The  Battle,  Herkimer  Slain,  140-43 
Fort  Washington,  Captured  by  Gen.  Howe,  93 
Fox,  Charles,  Friend  to  America,  Referred  to  by  Lord  North.  15 
Franklin,  Benj.,  Interview  with  King  George  III.  and  his  Ministers, 

14-18 

-  Agent  in  England  of  the  American  Colonies,  14 

Gives  to  the  King  the  Reasons  of  Complaint,  14 

Refers  to  Danes  and  Saxons  and  Their  Right  to  Rule,  15 

Renounces  England  as  His  Home,  18 

Prophesies  the  Greatness  of  Free  America,  19 

-  Commissioner  of  Congress  at  Cambridge,  40 


INDEX.  205 

Franklin,  Benj.,  Declares  for  Independence  at  Cambridge,  41 

Before  Independence  Hall,  58 

With  Count  de  Vergennes,  Minister  of  France,  116-21 

Meets  with  Lafayette,  118 

Dissuades  Lafayette  from  His  Journey,  119 

Agrees,  however,  to  Aid  Lafayette,  if  He  Will  Visit  America, 

120 

Fraser,  Gen.,  English  General  at  Saratoga,  172-79 

Advises  Gen.  Burgoyne  to  Retreat,  179 

Prominent  in  Battle  at  Saratoga,  172 

Commands  Right  Wing,  Battle  of  October  7,  182 

Killed  at  Saratoga  by  Riflemen  of  Morgan,  183 

Frederick  II.,  Landgrave  of  Hesse,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  45-52 

Insists  upon  his  Subsidy  for  Troops,  46 

His  Baseness  and  Debaucheries,  48 

His  Revelries  in  Hesse  from  this  Subsidy,  49 

Freeman's  Farm,  the  Battlefield  at  Saratoga,  173 


Gage  Thomas,  Gen.,  Rails  against  Patrick  Henry,  I 

Commander  of  King's  Troops  in  America,  I 

Discusses  the  Stamp  Act  and  Approves,  4,  5 

Responsible  for  the  Boston  Massacre,  4 

Orders  the  English  Troops  at  Bunker  Hill,  34 

In  a  Proclamation  of  Pardon,  Excepted  John  Hancock  and 

Sam.  Adams,  6l 

Ganzevoort,  Peter,  Col.,  At  Fort  Stanwix,  140 
Gates,    Horatio,  Gen.,  Intrigues  against  Washington  ;  Refused  to 
Report  to  Him  Crown  Point,  75 

Intrigues  against  Schuyler,  130-131 

Abandons  Washington  at  Battle  of  Trenton,  130 

Meets  Schuyler  at  Albany  and  Takes  Command,  147-48 

At  Saratoga,  Camp  at  first  Battle — Headquarters,  169 

At  Saratoga  Orders  Battle  of  September  19  to  Begin,  170 

At  Saratoga  Orders  Arnold  to  Command  Left  Wing,  170 

Quarrels  with  Arnold,  175 

Camp  at  Saratoga  at  Second  Battle,  1 80 

His  Selfishness,  190 

Orders  Arnold  from  the  Field,  after  Arnold  Had  Won  the 

Second  Battle  of  October  7,  189 

Address  to  His  Troops,  at  the  Surrender,  194 

Receives  the  Sword  of  Burgoyne,  196 

Returns  the  Sword  of  Burgoyne,  196 

Entertains  Burgoyne  and  Officers  at  Dinner,  196 

George  III.,  His  Interview  with  Franklin,  14-18 

Refuses  the  Petitions  of  the  Colonies,  41 

Enraged  at  Catherine  of  Russia,  52 

Accuses  the  Empress  of  Discourtesy,  54 


206  INDEX. 

George  III.,  Is  Grateful  to  German  Princes  for  Troops,  54 

Demands  Blows  and  Subjugation  for  the  Rebels,  55 

Wants  Savages  Employed  to  Subdue  America,  57,  124 

Hears  of  Trenton,  the  Battle  and  Defeat,  121 

Names  Burgoyne  to  the  Saratoga  Expedition,  123 

Names  Col.  St.  Leger  to  the  Expedition  through  the  Mo- 
hawk Valley,  123 

Indignant  at  French  Diplomacy,  125 


Germain,  Geo.,  Lord,  Approves  of  Purchased  Troops,  52 

Explains  the  Loss  of  Trenton,  121 

Germantown,  Battle  of,  192 

Glover,  Gen.,  An  American  Commander  at  Saratoga,  181 
Golden  Hill,  New  York  City,  First  Blood  of  the  Revolution,  5 
Greene,  Nathaniel,  Col.,  At  Cambridge,  42 

Gen.  (Promoted),  At  Harlem  Heights,  72 

Putnam  Explains  to  Him  Loss  of  Battle  of  Long  Island,  72 

In  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 

At  Brandywine,  148-54 

Guards,  To  Provost- Marshal  Cunningham,  79 

Who  Bind  Nathan  Hale,  87 


H 

Hale,  Nathan,  A  Prisoner  to  Cunningham,  86 

His  Execution  as  a  Spy,  86-87 

Hampden  Hall,  Meeting  Place  of  Patriots  in  New  York  City,  5 
Hanau,  Prince  of,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  50 
Hancock,  John,  A  Son  of  Liberty,  6 

Excepted  in  Gage's  Pardon,  61 

Hardy,  Old  Fort,  Place  of  Surrender  at  Saratoga,  194 

Harlem  Heights,  Battle  of,  76,  91 

Harris,  Lieut.,  English,  At  Lexington,  26 

Harrison,  Benj.,  Commissioner  of  Congress  at  Cambridge,  40 

Henry,  Patrick,  Denounced  by  Gen.  Gage,  2 

His  Oration,  Liberty  or  Death,  at  Richmond,  Va.,  21 

Herkimer,  Nicholas,  Gen.,  Killed  at  Fort  Stanwix,  142 
Hervy,  Lieut.,  (English)  Officer  Killed  at  Saratoga,  172 
Hessian  Officer  at  Battle  of  Long  Island,  70-71 
Hillsborough,  Lord,  Interview  with  Franklin,  14-18 
Hitchcock,  Gen.,  At  Princeton,  no 

Hon  Yost  Schuyler,  Spy  for  Arnold  at  Fort  Stanwix,  141 
Howe,  Robert,  Lord,  Admiral,  Interview  with  Franklin,  14-19 

Admiral,  At  Battle  of  Long  Island,  69-73 

Howe,  Sir  William,  Gen.,  At  Bunker  Hill,  34 

At  Battle  of  Long  Island,  69-73 

At  New  York,  74-133 

Calls  for  Ten  Thousand  More  Troops,  122 

Refuses  to  Help  Gen.  Burgoyne,  133 

Resolves  to  Attack  Philadelphia,  133 


INDEX.  207 

Howe,  Sir  William,  Gen.,  Indignant  that  Burgoyne  should  be  Placed 
over  Him,  133,  134 

Refuses  Battle  to  Washington  in  New  Jersey,  135 

At  Brandy  wine,  153 


Independence,  Record  of  Vote  for,  61,  62 

Declaration  of,  Signed,  66 

"  "  Proclaimed,  67 

Indian  Witch,  Mother  Yost,  157 
Indians  (Savages),  at  Bennington,  146 

They  Murder  Jane  McCrea,  164 

The  Cherokees  Defeaied,  59 

They  Cause  the  Dtfeat  of  St.  Leger  at  Fort  Stanwix,  141 

(Americans  Disguised  as  Mohawks),  Destroy  the  Tea  in  Bos- 
ton Harbor,  10 


Jefferson.  Thomas,  Author  of  Declaration  of  Independence,  61 
Jail,  the  New  (Hall  of  Records,  N.  Y.  City),  One  of  Cunningham's 

Prisons.  79 
Joseph,  King  of  Austria,  Refuses  to  See  in  Paris  the  Agents  of  the 

Revolt,  113 

K 

Keepers,  To  Provos'-Marshal  Cunningham,  79,  80 
King  George  III.     (See  George  III.) 

Interview  with  Franklin,  14-18 

Enraged  at  Catherine  of  Russia,  52 

Hears  News  of  Trenton,  121 

Approves  the  Plan  to  Attack  Albany,  122 

Names  Burgoyne  to  a  Command,  123 

Names  St.  Leger  to  a  Command,  123 

Kingsbridge,  Gen.  Lee  heie  Withheld  Troops  from  Washington,  94 
King  Louis  XVI.  of  Fiance,  Interview  wuh  His  Minuter  Vergennes, 
112-15 

Helps  the  Colonies  because  He  Must,  114 

Knowlton,  Thomas,  Major,  At  Bunker  Hill,  35 

Killed  at  Harlem  Heights,  76 

Knox,  Henry  Capt.,  At  Cambridge,  42 

Gen.  (Promoted),  In  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 

At  Trenton,  106 

Kosciuszko,  Thaddeus  Gen.,  Engineer  on  Bemis  Heights,  156 
Knyphausen,  Gen.,  at  Brandy  wine,  151 


208  INDEX. 


Lafayette,  Marquis,  Interview  with  Franklin,  118 
Will  Pay  for  his  Transportation,  lig 

His  Reasons  for  Aiding  America,  120 

At  Bran-fywine,  Wounded,  153 

Landgrave  of  He«e  Cassel  (see  Frederick  II.)  Sells  Troops  to  Eng- 
land, 45-52 

Lamed,  Gen.,  an  American  Commander  at  Saratoga,  181 
Lee,  Charles,  Gen.,  at  Baskingricge,  N.  J.,  88-98 

Accused  as  a  Traitor  at  Baskingridge,  89 

Refused  to  Obey  Orders  of  Washington,  91 

Diverted  Troops  from  Washington,  95 

Soliloquy  at  Ba>kingridge,  96 

Made  Prisoner  at  Baskingridge,  98 

Cringing  Cowardice  when  Made  Prisoner,  98 

Leitch,  Major,  Killed  at  Harlem  Heights,  76 
Lexington,  The  Battle  of,  26-31 

The  First  Shot  at  the  "  Meeting  House,"  28 

Rout  of  the  British  Troops,  30 

Livingston,  Col.,  An  American  Officer  at  Saratoga,  173 
Lincoln,  Benj.,  Gen.,  An  American  Officer  at  Saratoga,  176 

Interview  with  Arnold  at  Saratoga,  176-79 

Louis  XVI. ,  King  of  France  (see  King  Louis  XVI.) 
Long  Island,  The  Battle  of,  69 

Lovelace,  A  Tory,  Hung  as  a  Spy  at  Saratoga,  158 

Lynch,  Thomas,  A  Commissioner  of  Congress  to  Cambridge,  40 

M 

Militiaman,  American,  at  Lexington,  31 

McCrea,  Jane,  Murdered  by  Indians,  164 

Mercer,  Hugh,  Gen.,  in  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 

Gen.,  At  Trenton,  106 

Killed  at  Princeton,  no 

Messenger  to  Arnold  from  Fort  Stanwix,  140 
Middlesex  Co.,  near  Boston,  9 
Middlebrook,  Camp  of  Washington,  126 

Ministry,  British,  and  King,  Plan  to  Capture  Albany,  122 

Mohawk  Indians  (Americans  Disguised  as  such)  Destroy  the  Tea,  10 

Morgan,  Dan,  Gen.,  His  Riflemen  at  Saratoga,  171 

Orders  the  Death  of  Fraser  at  Saratoga,  183 

Morristown,  Camp  of  Washington,  128 
Montgomery,  Richard,  Gen.,  at  Montreal,  44 

Death  of  before  Quebec,  59 

Fort,  Captured  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  194 

Moultrie,  Fort,  Battle  of,  59 
Mowat,  Capt.,  Burns  Falmouth,  41 

Murray,  (Mary  Lindley)  Robert,  Mrs.,  Detained  Howe  in  New  York 
after  Battle  of  Long  Island,  74 


INDEX.  209 

N 

Nixon,  Gen.,  An  American  Commander  at  Saratoga,  181 
North,  Lord,  Prime  Minister  of   George  III.,  Interview  with  Frank- 
lin, 14-18 

Approves  of  the  Purchase  of  Troops,  51,  52 

Suggests  Burgoyne  to  Command,  122 


Old  South  Church,  Boston,  8 
Orderly  to  Putnam,  Bunker  Hill,  33,  35,  36,  37 
"  Old  Rocks,"  the  Rifle  of  Farmer"  Dick,  25 
Officer,  Hessian,  At  Battle  of  Long  Island,  70 

,  On  the  Social  Standing  of  Americans,  71 

In  Revelry  with  Rail  at  Trenton,  103 

Oriskany,  Battle  of,  or  Fort  Stanwix,  140 


Peekskill,  Loss  of  Stores,  130 

Percy,  Hugh,  Lord,  Gen.,  Rescues  the  British  at  Lexington,  31 

Pigot,  Gen.,  At  Bunker  Hill,  34 

Pitcairn,  Major,  His  Orders  at  Lexington,  29 

Pitt,  William,  Referred  to  by  Lord  North  as  a  Friend  to  America,  15 

Philadelphia,  Cornwallis  Enters,  154 

Phillips,  English  General  at  Saratoga,  179 

Poor,  Gen.,  An  American  Commander  at  Saratoga,  181 

Prescott,  William,  Col.,  At  Bunker  Hill,  32 

Preston,  Capt.,  Commands  Troops  at  Boston  Massacre,  5 

Princeton,  Washington's  Plan  to  Strike,  108 

Battle  of,  109 

Prisoner,  To  Putnam  at  Bunker  Hill,  34 
Prisoners  of  Provost-Marshal  Cunningham,  82,  83 
Putnam,  Israel,  Gen.,  At  Bunker  Hill,  32 

Tells  Prescott  to  get  Bullets  from  the  Stones  at  Bunker  Hill, 

34 
Apostrophe  to  Warren  (Dead)  at  Bunker  Hill,  35 

Alarm  for  Want  of  Powder  at  Bunker  Hill,  36 

Orders  Soldiers  to  use  Butts  of  Muskets  at  Bunker  Hill,  37 

At  Harlem  Heights  Curses  Congress  ;  Explains  to  Greene 


Battle  of  Long  Island,  72-79 

—  At  Trenton,  108 

—  At  Princeton,  ill 

—  Loss  of  Peekskill,  130 

Beaten  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  on  the  Hudson,  194 


Pulaski,  Gen.,  At  Brandywine,  149 


210  INDEX. 


Rabbit  Hunters,  At  Lexington,  30 

Rail,  Col.,  At  Battle  of  Long  Island,  69-73 

In  Command  at  Trenton,  102 

In  Revelry  at  Trenton,  102 

Disregards  Report  of  Washington's  Approach,  103-4 

Gives  his  Sword  to  Washington,  106 

Killed  at  Trenton,  106 

Revere,  Paul,  His  Ride  to  Lexington  and  Concord,  25 
Richmond,  Va.,  Meeting  of  Two  Aged  Citizens  at,  19 
Riedesel,  Frederick,  Gen.,  At  Three  Rivers,  136 

At  Saratoga,  173 

Advises  Burgoyne  to  Retreat,  179 

Madam,  At  Saratoga,  160-65 

Receives  the  Wounded  at  Saratoga,  184 

Rutledge,  Edward,  Before  Independence  Hall,  58 

Quarrel  with  Samuel  Adams,  65 


St.  Leger,  Named  by  the  King  to  Command  Mohawk  Expedition, 
123 

Defeat  and  Retreat  from  Fort  Stanwix,  140,  141 

Saratoga,  The  Two  Battles,  First,  170,  Second,  180 
Scammel,  Col.,  At  Saratoga,  An  American  Officer,  171 
Schuyler,  Philip,  Gen.,  Sent  Troops  to  Washington,  94 

Gates  Intrigues  Against  Him,  130 

Gives  Gates  Command  at  Albany,  147,  148 

At  Surrender  at  Saratoga,  191 

Sears,  Isaac,  Leader  of  Sons  of  Liberty  of  New  York  City,  6 

Sergeant,  English,  At  Lexington,  28 

Ships,  Tea,  Boston  Harbor,  10 

Sons  of  Liberty,  Patriots  of  Revolution,  5 

Soldiers,  To  Provost  Marshal  Cunningham,  80,  81,  82 

—  Who  Bind  Mother  Yost,  157 

Speakers,  At  the  Tea  Ships,  Boston  Harbor,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10 
Standish  (Farmer  Dick),  At  Tea  Ships,  9 

On  Watch  near  Boston  for  the  Signal  in  the  Church  Steeple, 

23 

At  Lexington,  31 

Prisoner  to  Cunningham,  82 

• Tells  His  Dream  to  Cunningham,  84 

Capt.  (Promoted),  At  Baskingridge,  88 

—  Accuses  Lee  of  Treason  at  Baskingidge.  89 

Orders  from  Washington  to  Gen.  Lee,  89 

Col.  (Promoted),  For  Danbury,  128 

At  Camp  at  Middlebrook,  126-33 

Ordered  by  Washington  to  Saratoga,  132 


INDEX.  211 

Standish,  Col.,  With  Arnold  at  Fort  Stanwix,  140 

At  Saratoga,  169-77 

Describes  Arnold  at  Saratoga,  Second  Battle,  187 

Stanwix,  Fort,  Battle  of  and  Retreat  of  St.  Leger,  140-43 
Stark,  John,  Gen.,  At  Bunker  Hill,  33 

In  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 

At  Trenton,  105 

Angry  at  Neglect  by  Congress,  127 

At  Bennington,  145 

Sterling,  Alexander,  Gen.,  At  Long  Island,  70 

Stormont,  Lord,  English  Embassador  to  France,  The  Sport  of  Ver- 

gennes  and  Franklin,  112-19 
Strover,  A  Scout  to  Gates,  169 
Sullivan,  John,  Gen.,  In  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 

At  Trenton,  105 

At  Brandy  wine,  148,  149,  150 


Taylor  House,  Saratoga,  In  British  Lines,  160 

Tea,  Destroyed  in  Boston  Harbor,  10 

Three  Rivers,  Canada,  Carleton,  136 

Ticonderoga,  Gives  Guns  and  Powder  to  Camp  at  Cambridge,  43 

Trenton,  Plan  of  Battle  Explained,  99 

Officers  Refuse  to  Stand  by  Plans  of  Washington,  101 

Rail  in  Revelry  at  Trenton,  102 

Countrymen  Inform  Rail  at  Trenton  of  Washington's  March, 

103 

The  Battle,  105 

Washington  Leads  the  Attack,  105 

Terrific  Snow  Storm,  105 


After  Battle,  Arrival  of  Cornwallis,  107 

—  Washington  Again  There,  108 


Tryon,  Gen.,  Defeated  by  Gen.  Arnold  at  Danbury,  127 


Von  Schlieffen,  Minister  to  Landgrave  of  Hesse  Cassel,  47-52 
Vergennes,  Minister  of  Louis  XVI.  of  France,  112-21 

His  Soliloquy,  112 

Interview  with  Louis  XVI.,  112-15 

Interview  With  Benjamin  Franklin,  116-21 


w 

Warner,  Seth,  Col.,  At  Bennington,  146 
Warren,  Joseph,  Gen.,  Spoken  of  at  Tea  Riot,  9 

At  Bunker  Hill,  33 

Killed  at  Bunker  Hill,  35 


212  INDEX, 

Waldeck,  Prince  of,  Sells  Troops  to  England,  50 

Warriors,  Savage,  At  Bennington,  146 

Washington,  George,  Gen.,  Takes  Command  at  Cambridge,  38 

Recounts  the  Wants  of  the  Army,  38 

Commissioners  to  His  Camp  from  Congress  Form  a  Plan  of 

Relief,  40 

At  Harlem  Heights,  72 

An  Attempt  to  Poison  Him,  77 

Makes  Known  the  Mission  of  Nathan  Hale,  78 

His  Retreat  across  New  Jersey,  93,  94,  95 

In  Camp  West  of  the  Delaware,  99 

Resolves  to  Attack  Trenton,  if  he  Does  so  Alone,  IOI 

The  Pledge  with  the  Swords,  102 

At  Trenton,  The  Battle,  105 

Again  at  Trenton,  108 

Eludes  Corawallis  at  Trenton,  108 

At  Princeton,  109 

Over  the  Body  of  Gen.  Mercer,  in 

Orders  Camp  at  Morristown,  in 

In  Camp  at  Middlebrook,  126 

Interview  with  Gen.  Arnold  at  Middlebrook,  128-33 

At  Middlebrook,  Orders  Arnold  to  Saratoga,  132 

At  Brandy  wine,  150-54 

Distress  at  Sullivan's  Failure,  152 

Leads  the  Troops  of  Greene,  1 54 

At  Germantown,  192 

Washington,  Fort,  Its  Fall,  93 

Wayne,  Anthony,  Gen.,  Opposed  Cornwallis  at  Brandy  wine,  155 

White  Plains,  Battle  of,  72,  91 

Wilkinson,  Col.,  Aid  to  Gates  at  Saratoga,  183 

Williams,  Gen.,  An  English  Officer,  Killed  at  Saratoga,  184 

Witherspoon,  John,  Before  Independence  Hall,  58 

Wooster,  Daniel,  Gen.,  Killed  at  Danbury,  127 


Yankee  Doodle,  Sung  Before  Independence  Hall,  66 
Yost,  Hon  Schuyler,  a  Decoy  of  Arnold  to  St.  Leger,  141 
Yost,    Mother,   an   Indian  Witch,    Prisoner   to  Arnold    on    Bemis 
Heights,  157 

Interview  with  Madam  Riedesel,  Burgoyne,  and  Others,  at 

Saratoga,  162-64 

Interview  with  Arnold  at  Devil's  Glen,  165-69 

Defying  the  Lightning  at  Devil's  Glen,  165 

Informs  Arnold  of  Burgoyne  at  Devil's  Glen,  166-67 

Tells  Arnold  his  Fortune  at  Devil's  Glen,  168 


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